Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a failure of the VA examiner to comply with previous instructions regarding continuity of symptomology from service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims have been denied as his appeals do not involve service connection issues, but rather focus on rating determinations and effective dates. The specific issues are related to increased ratings for various conditions and effective date determinations.

The Veteran's claims for erectile dysfunction, rectal dysfunction and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are being remanded due to insufficient examination reports. The VA needs to schedule a new examination to address these issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, lung cancer, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities were denied due to lack of evidence supporting a nexus between these conditions and his military service. The appeal was not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's right eye conditions, including diminished visual acuity and traumatic optic neuropathy, were not incurred or aggravated by active service. Cataracts and open angle glaucoma are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes, and peripheral neuropathy, resulted in a combined 80% disability rating. The Board found that the Veteran was unable to secure or follow a substantial gainful occupation due to his service-connected conditions, leading to a grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, residuals of frostbite of upper extremities, or peripheral neuropathy of lower extremities. However, the Veteran's PTSD with alcohol dependence warranted a 70% rating since June 20, 2013.

The Veteran is unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment as a result of service-connected disabilities, and the Board finds that his TDIU request should be granted.

The Board has granted an effective date of May 17, 2007 for the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and peripheral neuropathy are not related to service, while depression is linked to other conditions. Service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of peripheral neuropathy, stroke or TIA. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.,Service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus secondary to DMII is granted. However, service connection for ED secondary to DMII and PTSD, sleep disorder secondary to PTSD, GI condition secondary to PTSD, and skin condition secondary to DMII and PTSD are denied as there is no competent evidence of a current disability or link between the conditions and the service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development and adjudication, including consideration of a right eye disorder claim which may impact the rating assigned for left optic neuropathy with visual field loss.

The Veteran's disability rating for lumbar radiculopathy, L5-S1 vertebral bodies, with compression deformity of the L4 vertebral body is increased to 70 percent.

The Veteran's claim for compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 was denied because the additional disabilities he developed were not caused by VA's negligence or fault.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2, with secondary dysfunction, incontinence, neuropathy of the right leg, fatigue, enlarged mammary glands, erectile dysfunction, and diabetic neuropathy are presumed to be due to herbicide exposure during service. The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is also presumed to be due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to consider the combined effects of the appellant's service-connected disabilities on his employability, as well as to obtain additional relevant VA medical records and conduct a VA social and industrial survey.

The Veteran's left shoulder DJD is service-connected, but he does not have a separate neurological disorder of the left upper extremity related to his service or any other condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting information regarding the Veteran's alleged exposure in Vietnam and requests for additional evidence. The issue of service connection for diabetes mellitus and associated complications is on appeal.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of Traumatic Brain Injury and therefore, service connection for TBI is denied. The issues of an initial rating higher than 10 percent for Anxiety Disorder and service connection for Peripheral Neuropathy of the Bilateral Lower Extremities are remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal concerning the issues of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, erectile dysfunction, diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities.