Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his conditions are not shown to be related to military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for distal sensory polyneuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability remains pending.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred in service. The Board finds that the Veteran has current peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, but there is no evidence of a right knee disability due to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, hepatitis C, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as anxiety and depression), erectile dysfunction, peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities, and several types of neuropathy. The decision was based on a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for hypertension and granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, as well as a renal disorder. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's left ulnar neuropathy was initially rated at 10 percent prior to October 26, 2011 and increased to 40 percent thereafter. The claim is granted for the period beginning October 26, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA examination and addressing the issues of service connection and TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer, PTSD, and peripheral neuropathy, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed disabilities affecting his upper extremities. Additionally, an SOC regarding service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II will be issued.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral cataracts as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The Board found that there was no direct link between the cataracts and military service, but did find a link to the Veteran's age-related condition.

The Board has remanded the case to the AOJ for further development, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his painful left wrist scar and residuals of a left forearm fracture to include peripheral neuropathy were denied as the symptoms do not warrant higher schedular ratings.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, immune system disorder with mixed connective tissue disorder, lupus erythematous, scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension and peripheral neuropathy are not presumed to be related to his military service or herbicide exposure.,Service connection for these conditions is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that they were incurred during service or due to herbicide exposure.

The Board denied reopening of service connection for a bilateral foot disorder, but granted service connection for bilateral ulnar neuropathy (CTS or CTS) as the Veteran currently has a disability manifested by the same symptoms of bilateral hand pain and decreased dexterity that were manifested during service. The other issues remained in denial.

The Board has determined that the decision to resume VA disability compensation benefits, effective December 1, 2008, was correct as the Veteran provided a valid current address.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed autonomic neuropathy is caused by his service-connected diabetes, and the Board finds in favor of granting service connection for this condition on a secondary basis. The issue of emphysema remains pending as it was not addressed in the decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the left foot neuropathy was not present until multiple years after service, and is not otherwise related to service. For the knees and back, the criteria for higher ratings have not been met.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted as service connected due to presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to inadequate examination and the need for further development of his TBI residuals, including sleep apnea and sensory neuropathy.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to secure all relevant medical records and to readjudicate his claims of a rating in excess of 20 percent for type II diabetes mellitus, as well as the TDIU claim.