Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the feet, ankles, hands, and wrists is found to be related to his presumed exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The issues of entitlement to service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities are remanded due to potential inextricably intertwined issues with the issue on appeal.

The Board finds that the Veteran's neuropathy and weakness of upper and lower extremities are not related to his service, including as due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are being remanded due to incomplete examination reports and further development is required.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and an inadequate VA examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of spinal meningitis is being returned for further action.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, erectile dysfunction, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, and a sleep disorder due to herbicide exposure. The evidence did not establish that the Veteran served in Vietnam or had duty or visitation there.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity is currently rated at 10 percent, effective September 11, 2012. The evidence does not show that a higher rating is warranted prior to this date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, scheduling the Veteran for appropriate VA examinations to assess his service-connected disabilities, and readjudicating his claims.

The Veteran seeks service connection for residuals of shrapnel wounds to his bilateral hands. The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of any current hand disabilities, including osteoarthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, chondrocalcinosis (CPPD), and peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II with erectile dysfunction is currently rated at 20 percent. The ratings for his peripheral neuropathies of the upper and lower extremities are all denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral foot neuropathy is not related to his in-service cold weather injury, and thus service connection for this condition cannot be established.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and disorders of the buttocks and groin are denied as there is no credible evidence of herbicide exposure or a link to service.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have in-country service or documented exposure to herbicides, and thus could not establish service connection for any of his claimed disabilities on a presumptive basis. The preponderance of evidence was against each claim.

The Veteran's bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is currently rated at 30 percent, and no higher. His bilateral hearing loss was not incurred during service, but hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus is service-connected.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities were denied as there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other causative factors, and the conditions are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, Celiac disease, allergic rhinitis, immune deficiency, peripheral neuropathy, muscle disability, and skin disability. The Board found that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active duty service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was rated at 40 percent effective April 6, 2013. The initial compensable ratings for peripheral neuropathy in the upper and lower extremities were granted effective March 17, 2012. The TDIU claim is granted effective November 26, 2007.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and its secondary effects, as they were not shown to be related to active service or any presumptive exposure conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease and peripheral neuropathy, both claimed as due to herbicide exposure, were denied. The Board found no evidence of in-service events or diseases related to these conditions, and the presumption of herbicide exposure does not apply given the Veteran's lack of documented service in Vietnam.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ulnar neuropathy has been manifested by moderate incomplete paralysis from January 23, 2004 to the present day; severe or complete paralysis of the right ulnar nerve is not shown. Therefore, an initial disability rating greater than 30 percent for right ulnar neuropathy has not been met.