Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, diabetes mellitus, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment since January 1, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and needs further development before a final decision can be made on the service connection claim for left ankle disorder.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities is granted as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus. The gastrointestinal condition and keloids on the chest are not found to be related to service or herbicide exposure.

The Board denied reopening of service connection for right leg peripheral neuropathy and right leg disorder due to lack of new and material evidence. The Veteran withdrew the appeal regarding right leg peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is found to be at least as likely as not related to active service, and the claim for service connection for this condition is granted. The claims for bilateral eye disability and right knee disability are remanded for further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to service and have denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has ordered a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed peripheral neuropathy, including whether it is related to his service in Vietnam and any other service-connected conditions.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal, thus the case is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed nerve disorder of the feet and lower extremities, arm and hand injury, skin condition (shingles, eczema, or dermatitis), or bilateral eye disability (temporary blindness) due to service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is found to be due to herbicide exposure, and service connection for this condition is granted. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity and avascular necrosis of the right hip are also granted as secondary to herbicide exposure.

The Board found no evidence of a cervical spine disability or right arm neuropathy that is related to service, and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Veteran's application for a clothing allowance was denied because the Under Secretary for Health or his designee did not certify that he used prosthetic or orthopedic appliances that tend to wear or tear on clothing due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's death was attributed to respiratory failure, with underlying causes of congestive heart failure and cancer of the throat. Cancer of the throat is not a recognized disease associated with herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any currently diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, residuals of a stroke, aneurysm, diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities.

The Board has ordered further development to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicides while serving at Udorn RTAFB in Thailand. The appeal is now remanded for this purpose.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, both presumed to be related to herbicide exposure during his Vietnam-era service.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, did not meet the DSM criteria for a diagnosis and was less likely than not caused by his military service. The peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities also did not manifest within one year of herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's need for a below the knee amputation of the right leg was at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected superficial peroneal neuropathy, which is a residual of his right femur fracture.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his service-connected conditions, including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, impotence, and PTSD. The case is being remanded for scheduling a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in permanent and total disability that is due to the loss or loss of use of one or both lower extremities, precluding locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair. The claim for specially adapted housing has been granted.