Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has granted initial ratings of 20 percent for peripheral neuropathy in both lower extremities, but the Veteran is seeking higher ratings. The evidence shows moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve in each lower extremity.

The Veteran's appeals for increases in the ratings assigned for his peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities have been dismissed as he withdrew his appeals prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of left wrist fracture, disability of the right wrist/upper extremity (carpal tunnel syndrome and peripheral neuropathy), lumbar spine disability, hypertension, and arthritis in multiple joints were denied. The Board found that these conditions did not manifest during or within one year after service and are not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and peripheral neuropathy, finding that there was no actual exposure to herbicide agents during his service and thus no presumption of exposure applies. The Board also found that the Veteran did not have early onset peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to May 22, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and due process issues, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the impact of service-connected disabilities on the Veteran's employability.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for DM II and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are still pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and a failure to obtain relevant medical records. The Veteran's claim for TDIU is now pending again.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his residuals of a right shoulder separation and shell fragment wound of the right foot, have been rated appropriately at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of in-service events or conditions that could be linked to his current disabilities. His hearing loss is not compensable, and he does not have a diagnosed psychiatric disorder, degenerative joint disease, radiculopathy, or peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a neurological disorder, including peripheral neuropathy and multiple sclerosis, due to herbicide exposure is being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy secondary to diabetes mellitus was properly severed, and the criteria for restoration of service connection have not been met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a service connection for hypertension, COPD, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to herbicide exposure or any other service-connected disability. The preponderance of evidence is against these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is being remanded due to incomplete development, including obtaining VA treatment records and an addendum opinion regarding Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has withdrawn the claims of entitlement to service connection for chronic sinusitis and low back disability due to a request by the Veteran's representative. The Veteran is found to have irritable bowel syndrome, which was incurred in military service and is considered a qualifying chronic disability under Persian Gulf War criteria. Neurological symptoms in both upper and lower extremities are also considered as an undiagnosed illness related to military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities and verify any exposure to herbicides or other chemicals during service.

The Veteran's right hand disability, including carpal tunnel syndrome and median neuropathy at the wrist, is not related to his active duty service or a service-connected condition. The Board denied both direct service connection and secondary service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran did not suffer any new or additional disability associated with her cerebrovascular accident as a result of VA treatment due to carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or some other instance of fault on the part of VA.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling examinations, and issuing a supplemental statement of the case.