Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has determined that additional examinations and evidence are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's skin disorder did not have onset in service and was not caused or aggravated by his active military service, including in-service exposure to herbicides. The claims for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral hands and fingers are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board has granted service connection for a right foot disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right leg gunshot wound residuals.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further review and examination to determine his eligibility for a total disability rating based on service-connected disabilities, including the recently granted coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is service connected, but there is no evidence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy affecting the upper extremities. The skin disability claim will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD is service connected due to credible reports of combat exposure. Service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is denied as there is no evidence that these conditions are related to service, including exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to determine the appropriate disability ratings of his service-connected lumbar spine and bilateral lower extremity disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and high blood pressure are not service connected due to lack of evidence showing a link between these conditions and his military service. However, the issue of nonspecific dermatitis is being granted based on finding CUE in the March 2005 rating decision.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities are currently rated at 20 percent for each condition, with no higher ratings granted. The Board finds that these current ratings adequately reflect the severity of the disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional opinions regarding his ability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation given his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's initial increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities have been granted, with a rating of 40 percent since October 29, 2011. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted while others were not.

The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is granted as it was caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of his employment history.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a back disorder and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities have been denied as there is no evidence to support a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, finding it presumptively incurred due to exposure to herbicides during active duty. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy as a complication of diabetes mellitus type II is also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's type II diabetes, erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of upper and lower extremities, broken bones of feet, and retinopathy were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The presumption of herbicide exposure is not applicable due to lack of evidence of such exposure during active duty.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity does not meet or approximate criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity does not meet or approximate criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.,For the period prior to June 30, 2009, the Veteran's left hand median nerve focal neuropathy (carpal tunnel syndrome) meets criteria for a 30 percent rating.,The Veteran's left hand median nerve focal neuropathy (carpal tunnel syndrome) from June 30, 2009 onwards does not meet or approximate criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent.,The Veteran's right hand median nerve focal neuropathy (carpal tunnel syndrome) meets criteria for a 20 percent rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy, finding no evidence of a current disability or in-service exposure to herbicides that would support these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of both the right and left lower extremities is currently rated as mild in degree, with no evidence of muscle weakness, atrophy, loss of reflexes, frequent falls from sensory loss, or other significant symptoms. The Veteran continues to experience pain, numbness, tingling, and a sense of balance issues.