Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asymptomatic bilateral heel calluses are related to his military service, but does not find any evidence linking other foot disorders to his service. The reduction from a 50 percent disability rating to a 40 percent disability rating for right hand injury with right radial nerve neuropathy was denied.

The Veteran's sleep apnea has not been shown to be related to his service-connected disabilities, and the Board finds that he is not entitled to service connection for this condition. The TDIU claim will be remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the issue of service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, and initial ratings for various hip, hand, foot, and lower leg disabilities are denied. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes and its complications, have prevented him from obtaining and maintaining any form of gainful employment since May 30, 2007.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is related to his military service, and he was granted service connection for this condition. The Board found that the Veteran's account of when symptoms began was inconsistent with his spouse's account, but concluded in favor of a relationship to service due to memory loss issues. No rating assigned as no specific disability rating was addressed.

The Board finds that the Veteran's early-onset peripheral neuropathy is related to his in-service herbicide exposure, specifically Agent Orange. As such, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is not service-connected because it is due to diabetes, which is not a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and inextricably intertwined service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and will consider all evidence before deciding on the claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA evaluation by a Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's current bilateral peripheral neuropathy is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus (DMII). Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is likely due to his presumed exposure to herbicides during service, specifically Agent Orange. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted an initial increased rating to 50 percent, effective October 1, 2015. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board finds that there is not sufficient evidence to establish exposure to Agent Orange or any other herbicide during his service. As a result, the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus began in service and has persisted since then, warranting service connection. The claim for secondary service connection of peripheral neuropathy to diabetes mellitus is remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction have been denied as they are not related to his military service or herbicide exposure.,Service connection cannot be granted because there is no evidence of a chronic disease in service. The Veteran has not provided any credible evidence that he was exposed to herbicides during his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and sleep disturbance, as well as his requests for earlier effective dates for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to the need for VA medical examinations and further review of the evidence.