Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's service connection claims for a left shoulder disability, elevated blood sugar (including diabetes mellitus), hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, and peripheral neuropathy are granted on the basis of presumptive exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to address the issues on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to consider the entire appeal period, from December 28, 2004, as part and parcel of her higher initial rating appeals for her service-connected disabilities of the right and left lower extremities. The Veteran may be prejudiced by the Board's de novo adjudication of the claim with consideration of the entire appeal period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right ear hearing loss, peripheral neuropathy of the lower and upper extremities, skin disability, and hypertension, have been denied. The appeals are based on direct evidence or lack thereof.

The Board found that the Veteran's diagnosed peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities and carpal tunnel syndrome of the left upper extremity are not related to his period of military service, including his presumed exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's left elbow disabilities were caused by his refusal to follow medical instructions and physical resistance during an altercation with VA police, which occurred while he was refusing treatment. The Board finds that these disabilities are not compensable under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is not related to service, including as a result of herbicide exposure. The evidence did not show continuity of symptoms since service and was inconsistent with other medical records.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current disability due to his claimed peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, which could be attributed to active service. Therefore, service connection for this condition was denied.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any heart disorder, peripheral neuropathy in either upper or lower extremity, or respiratory disorder.,As such, the criteria for service connection are not met.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities was rated at 10 percent prior to December 30, 2015. As of that date, his condition warranted a rating of 20 percent for each affected limb.

The Veteran is not unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to active military service and denies his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's vocational goal was not reasonably feasible due to his refusal of an Extended Evaluation plan and inability to establish feasibility, leading to the denial of his VR&E services.

The VA denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of September 3, 2009 for his TDIU on an extraschedular basis. The Board found that prior to this date, the Veteran was still able to work due to outpatient records indicating he continued working at least part-time.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy or hypertension, and therefore service connection cannot be granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial evaluations have been denied. The current evaluations assigned are considered appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, as well as obtaining additional VA treatment records. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional examinations and development due to inconsistencies in his hearing loss claim and the need for updated medical evidence regarding his sciatic nerve neuropathy.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities as secondary to diabetes mellitus. The case is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and verifying periods of active duty service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and allergies are granted as they are presumed to be due to herbicide exposure.