Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, including as a result of exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam, is denied. The Board notes that he has not been diagnosed with acute or subacute peripheral neuropathy and there is no objective clinical indication of peripheral neuropathy within one year after his military service ended.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, headaches (cluster), and peripheral neuropathy were denied as they are not service-connected based on direct evidence or presumptive exposure to herbicide agents. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current disability of these conditions and there was no credible evidence linking them to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further proceedings due to inadequate examination and new claims related to secondary service connection.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, with diabetic retinopathy and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities was evaluated as 20 percent disabling prior to November 11, 2009. Since then, he has been rated at 40 percent for diabetes mellitus effective from that date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and its complications, degenerative joint disease of the ankles, peripheral neuropathy, osteoarthritis of the shoulders, and hypertension, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran is unable to maintain substantially gainful employment as a result of symptoms of his service-connected disabilities, and the Board finds that TDIU is warranted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, infection of capillaries, infection of blood vessels, ulcers, and polyps due to exposure to ionizing radiation during Operation REDWING. The conditions are not considered radiogenic diseases.

The Board has found that the Veteran's service connection claim for actinic keratosis is denied. The issues of higher initial ratings for peripheral neuropathy and entitlement to TDIU are remanded due to lack of recent VA examination.

The Veteran does not have any of the claimed conditions that were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for atherosclerotic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities (numbness of the toes), right knee disorder, and skin disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's varicose veins of the left lower extremity were initially noted in service and have recurred since discharge. His nerve damage and peripheral neuropathy, including insomnia, are secondary to his now service-connected varicose veins and laser surgery of the left lower extremity.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities.

The Veteran's PTSD claim has been reopened, but additional development is needed. His peripheral neuropathy claims are also remanded for further evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating for his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has restored service connection for PTSD and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, as well as hypertension. The decision found that the evidence did not establish clear and unmistakable error in granting service connection for PTSD.

The May 1972 rating decision assigned initial ratings for the Veteran's conditions, but did not address earlier effective dates or CUE. The Board found no CUE and denied claims for earlier effective dates.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development regarding his exposure to herbicides in Thailand.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities is directly related to her service-connected diabetes mellitus, warranting service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and dermatitis. However, it denied service connection for heart disease as there is no evidence linking it to service or exposure to TCE.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to herbicide exposure, finding that the Veteran's lay statements regarding continuity of symptomatology had not been properly weighed.