Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and radiculopathy. The case is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including medical opinions on etiology.

The Veteran's hypertension is found to be proximately due to or the result of his service-connected lumbar and cervical disabilities. Effective July 11, 2012, the criteria for an increased initial rating of 30 percent for tension headaches have been met.

The Board is remanding the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate follow-up on previous remand instructions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims for bilateral knee, hip, back disabilities, diabetes mellitus, retinopathy, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities. The Veteran's current conditions are presumed unrelated to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and ischemic heart disease on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure. Service connection is also granted for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities.

The Veteran's left leg disability, including deep vein thrombosis and post phlebitic syndrome, is not presumed service connected due to Agent Orange exposure. The VA examiner found no evidence of a nexus between the current peripheral neuropathy and service. Service connection for these conditions is therefore denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, when combined, render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's bilateral foot bunions, prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, and left finger and hand neuropathy were not service-connected.,There was no evidence of exposure to herbicide agents or other presumptive conditions.

The Board has acknowledged the Veteran's presumptive exposure to herbicides, such as Agent Orange, during his service near the DMZ in Korea. The case is REMANDED for a VA examination and further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not receive notice of his scheduled VA examinations and hearing, which may have resulted in a lack of consideration of his claims. The case is being remanded to allow for rescheduling these missed appointments and readjudication.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including his back disability, bilateral hearing loss, peripheral neuropathy, and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a service-connected peripheral neuropathy or skin disability, including as due to exposure at Camp Lejeune. The Veteran's complaints have not been supported by objective medical findings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, thus he did not meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for a videoconference hearing due to the Veteran's request. The issues of service connection and reopening claims remain pending.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities and thus service connection for this condition cannot be granted. The claim for erectile dysfunction secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II, remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and its associated secondary disabilities (eye disability, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of upper and lower extremities, and kidney disability) due to presumed exposure to herbicides during active duty. Service connection was also granted for bilateral hearing loss as a result of in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his lumbar spine disability and right lower extremity neuropathy, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right hand and wrist disabilities, including right wrist drop, right upper extremity radial compression neuropathy, or right carpal tunnel syndrome, are not related to her active service. The Veteran does not have a current right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and determining the nature and extent of his eye disorders.

The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus grants service connection for this condition.