Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including verification of herbicide exposure and obtaining outstanding treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, and thus denied all of his claims.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, which is secondary to diabetes mellitus.,Service connection for chest pain (claimed as shortness of breath) cannot be established.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity is being remanded due to unclear findings from previous examinations and a need for clarification regarding which nerves are affected. A new VA examination will be conducted to determine the severity of the condition and its impact on employment.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability, peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities contributed to his death from a hip fracture.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with microalbuminuria and nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy of both eyes is currently rated at 20 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of each upper extremity is currently rated at 10 percent, which also does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, hypertension, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and multiple knee conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU benefits is remanded due to inadequate examination reports and the need for additional treatment records. The case must be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran timely filed NODs to the March 2006 rating decisions denying service connection for peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities, avascular necrosis of bilateral hips status post total replacement of right hip, and entitlement to nonservice-connected pension benefits. As a result, these claims are granted.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal regarding service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, erectile dysfunction, and a low back disorder. The claims were withdrawn by the Veteran in October 2011. Service connection was denied for hypertension due to lack of evidence linking it to service or any other condition. Service connection was also denied for a low back disorder due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, as well as a low back disability, cannot be granted based on the evidence of record. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of his service connection claims, including obtaining additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his respiratory disability and hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and to ensure that all relevant records are obtained, including SSA records and VA treatment records. The Veteran's claims for service connection for HIV, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being REMANDED to the RO for further examination and readjudication of his TDIU claim due to incomplete opinions regarding the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and to determine whether any left upper extremity disability is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional service treatment records and in-service hospital records. The case will be adjudicated again after these records have been obtained.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the upper left and right extremities do not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable disability rating under VA's schedular guidelines.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is related to his service, specifically his presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his military service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy are being remanded due to the need for further development regarding her exposure to Agent Orange during active duty.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, bilateral restless leg syndrome due to nerve damage, and arthritic thoracolumbar spine with severe degeneration are granted based on diabetes mellitus secondary to herbicide exposure.