Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and readjudication, including obtaining records from SSA, VA treatment records, and opinions regarding exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disease of the cervical spine, PTSD, degenerative disease of the lumbar spine, diabetes mellitus type II, left upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and residual scars, rendered him unable to care for himself. The Board found that he required regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted as it is caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to inconsistencies in the record regarding the Veteran's service, exposure history, and potential presumptive conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and private treatment records related to the Veteran's left ear hearing loss, bilateral upper and lower neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity eczema/sebopsoriasis.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral feet was not chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of service separation. The Board finds that symptoms of bilateral foot peripheral neuropathy were not continuous since service separation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including identifying specific aircraft he serviced during his active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine and peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities have not met the criteria for a higher disability rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral sural nerve sensory peripheral neuropathy is related to his service-connected bilateral chondromalacia with degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran does not have a permanent total service-connected disability, and therefore does not meet the criteria for Dependents' Educational Assistance under Chapter 35 of Title 38 U.S.C.A.

The Board has determined that the service treatment records are incomplete and additional attempts should be made to obtain them. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is being remanded for a VA examination to determine its etiology, including whether it is related to exposure to jet fuel during active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for recurrent TBI residuals and recurrent right eye injury residuals including traumatic retrobulbar optic neuropathy, as well as entitlement to SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ due to erectile dysfunction. The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated at 50 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II (DMII), including as due to herbicide exposure. The remaining claims are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right hand sensory deficits are at least as likely as not caused by his service, and therefore grants service connection for median nerve neuropathy of the right hand.

The Board has granted a 50 percent disability rating for bilateral hearing loss effective March 5, 2014. The Veteran's claim for service connection for low back disorder and leg pain and neuropathy is also granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are being remanded due to a need for additional medical examination and development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to verify his in-country Vietnam service and obtain additional medical records. The Board will also schedule a VA examination to determine the etiology of his gastrointestinal disability and peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran does not have a neurological disability of either upper extremity, to include carpal tunnel syndrome or peripheral neuropathy, that was caused or aggravated by his service.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the service-connected left upper extremity weakness with peripheral neuropathy prior to September 15, 2009. The case is now remanded due to failure to consider certain medical records and provide an adequate explanation.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is found to be secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus granted.