Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and providing updated medical opinions regarding his knee disabilities and peripheral neuropathy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure as there was no evidence of herbicide exposure during his tour in Panama.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension and ulnar neuropathy of the right elbow were denied. The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic knee disabilities were also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a valid diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy and therefore denied his claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus with end stage renal disease, diabetic retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy, diabetic gastroparesis, and coronary artery disease was denied because there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his active military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues not being considered on all bases for service connection, including direct and secondary.

The Veteran's low back disability with bilateral polyneuropathy has been rated at 60 percent since July 6, 1999. The rating is maintained as the evidence does not meet criteria for a higher evaluation under other applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's PTSD is service-connected. The initial evaluation for diabetes mellitus, type II with associated complications (nephropathy and peripheral neuropathy) remains at 20 percent.

The evidence does not establish a current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy that is etiologically related to service, including exposure to herbicides. The Veteran's current condition is more likely due to chemotherapy treatment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome with sciatic neuropathy, and cervical joint and disc disease. The evidence did not establish a link between any of these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, and his ulcerative colitis and chronic peripheral neuropathy are presumed to be related to Agent Orange exposure. The fractured nose issue resulted in a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to issues regarding service connection for various spinal and neurological conditions, as well as sleep apnea. The case will be returned to the RO via the AMC for this purpose.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for TDIU was denied as he had not been found unemployable prior to December 1, 2004. The Veteran's claim for increased rating of chronic neck pain with radicular symptoms down the right arm is dismissed due to withdrawal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have a combined rating of 90 percent, with at least one disability rated 40 percent or more. The Veteran is unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's COPD, Heart Disease, Restless Leg Syndrome, and Bilateral Lower Extremity Neuropathy are all found to be related to service.

The Board denied service connection for neuropathy of the left upper extremity, as well as increased disability ratings for residuals of a shell fragment wound of the back and buttocks. The Veteran's claims were remanded multiple times but ultimately denied due to lack of evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy) are being remanded for further development to determine if they alone preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations of his service-connected coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, and hypertension were denied. The claim for service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities was also denied.