Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to her period of active duty training (ACDUTRA).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on all issues were denied due to lack of evidence linking the claimed conditions to his military service, including exposure to herbicides and Gulf War Syndrome.

The Veteran's right shoulder disorder is not service connected as it did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking the current condition to a service-connected disability.,There is insufficient evidence to establish that the Veteran has peripheral neuropathy in his left upper extremity. The VA examiner noted 'N/A (no specific diagnosis provided).'

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his diabetes mellitus and related complications, as well as for obtaining outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to July 31, 2015, and increased to 70 percent thereafter. Peripheral neuropathy of the extremities were all rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for bilateral feet peripheral neuropathy and his claim to reopen a previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a back disability. The appeals are currently pending.

The Veteran has withdrawn all his appeals, including those for increased ratings and service connection claims.

The Veteran is rendered unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment as a result of his service-connected disabilities, and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining any outstanding private treatment records. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities will be evaluated to determine if it is related to his military service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn as to the issue of entitlement to a neck disorder or degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine with radiculopathy. The Board finds that the evidence supports service connection for neurological impairment of the bilateral upper extremities, including neuropathy, radiculopathy and carpel tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, to include as secondary to exposure to herbicides, are being remanded due to incomplete medical records and need for additional examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is not related to his service-connected lumbar strain with spondylosis, and thus cannot be granted service connection. The Veteran's current disability rating for his lumbar strain with spondylosis remains at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to report for a requested hearing, and he is given another opportunity to attend.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development regarding his exposure to environmental toxins and herbicides during service.

The Veteran's claims for COPD, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and bilateral hand neuropathy are being remanded due to the need for additional development including medical examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA outpatient treatment records and readjudicating the claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for any of the claimed conditions, including right foot pain, left leg pain, inability to walk fast, inability to put pressure on fingers, right ankle disability, back disability, tendonitis of the left elbow, bilateral hearing loss disorder, psychiatric disability (claimed as bipolar disorder), diabetes mellitus, visual acuity disorder (claimed as secondary to diabetes mellitus), peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities (claimed as secondary to diabetes mellitus), and kidney failure (claimed as secondary to diabetes mellitus).

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent effective September 14, 2015. The condition results in flexion to 80 degrees with muscle spasm resulting in an abnormal spinal contour.