Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy and diabetes were granted ratings, but the Veteran was denied higher ratings for his right upper extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction claim was also denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, finding that there is no evidence to support a causal relationship between his service-connected cervical spine disability and these conditions. The headaches claim remains pending as the Veteran did not waive RO consideration of additional VA records.

The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities was caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, granting the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have diagnosed peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and finds no causal relationship between his service-connected diabetes mellitus and any current symptoms. Therefore, service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and congestive heart failure.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Board found that there is insufficient evidence to establish service connection for the claimed conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, residuals of a left foot and/or ankle injury, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran's claims were denied as his claims are not supported by competent medical evidence.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for diabetes mellitus, type 2. The case is now remanded to determine if separate ratings are warranted for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetic neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities has been granted initial ratings of 20 percent each, effective prior to November 7, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Statement of the Case on several issues, including his claims for increased ratings and service connection.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and bilateral knee DJD, finding that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability or due to an incident involving a 55-gallon drum rolling over him during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, as his combined rating is 80 percent. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of unemployability solely due to these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need to clarify his current service-connected disabilities, obtain updated VA treatment records, and schedule him for a Social and Industrial Survey.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions, including diabetes, peripheral neuropathy of the feet, restless leg syndrome, prostate cancer, and hypertension. The claims are being remanded to obtain updated medical records and a new examination.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his cervical spine disability was denied. However, he received separate ratings of 30 percent and 20 percent for neuropathy in the right and left upper extremities associated with his cervical spine disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected conditions, including diabetes mellitus. The case will be reviewed again with a medical opinion.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at the highest available rating of 70 percent, effective from May 27, 2009. The claims for service connection for bilateral knee pain and hypertension have been reopened due to new evidence received since the final denial of these claims in November 1979 and December 1999 respectively.

The Board has remanded the case to the AOJ for further development of evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his service at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska, as well as for a determination on whether he was exposed to such agents. The appellant contends that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides due to refueling aircraft returning from Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the Veteran's hearing loss, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and right leg disorder. The issues include service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted, and he is now considered unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.