Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected alcohol and drug dependence has caused his current peripheral neuropathy, which is granted as secondary to this condition.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, knee, skin, psychiatric, and left ankle disabilities were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to service. The claim for peripheral neuropathy was not addressed due to the absence of a specific request.

The Veteran's original claim for service connection was received on December 4, 2003. The Board finds that the earliest date entitlement arose is November 2004 when he was diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy and carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity. Therefore, an effective date of December 4, 2003, for the grant of service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining a new VA examination and any outstanding treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine the credibility of his statements regarding his in-service exposure and symptomatology.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including those related to his cervical and lumbar spine conditions. The appeals were based on direct evidence rather than a presumption or secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, anxiety, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, and hypertension were denied as there is no competent medical evidence showing current diagnoses of these conditions during the appeal period. The Board found that the post-service records do not show a diagnosis or treatment for any of these disabilities until many years after service.

The Board has remanded this case for a hearing at the RO before a Veterans Law Judge due to the judge conducting the initial hearing no longer being employed by the Board.

The Board has granted service connection for a skin disorder, seizure disorder, and peripheral neuropathy of all extremities due to presumed exposure to herbicides during active duty.

The Veteran's combined disability rating was reduced to 60 percent effective December 1, 2008. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims can be fully adjudicated. This includes obtaining VA treatment records and any medical and legal documents pertaining to the Veteran's application for Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities was found to be mild or moderate incomplete paralysis, not meeting criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's claimed condition, acute and subacute peripheral neuropathy, was not found to be incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board determined that the current condition is unrelated to exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cataracts, finding no competent evidence to show that his post-service cataracts began during active service or were related to any incident of service.

The Board is remanding the Veteran's claims for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records from his service period and considering whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen his claim for motor neuropathy of the left leg.

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence linking the Veteran's neuropathy of the right hand to service or a service-connected disability, and no competent evidence linking his left ankle injury to service.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy and MDS are not related to service or any remote incident thereof, nor were they manifested within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's LEMS was not service-connected, and his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 based on VA's failure to timely diagnose and properly treat LEMS was also denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left elbow condition, low back condition, and major depressive disorder have been granted. His claim for high cholesterol was denied as it is not a compensable disability. The Veteran's increased rating for major depressive disorder has been granted to 70 percent effective April 23, 2010.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for chronic peripheral neuropathy, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is unrelated to an injury, disease, or event during service. The Board also found that chronic peripheral neuropathy is not caused by indirect exposure, if any, to Agent Orange.