Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, skin cancer, and leukemia, are not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board found that the Veteran's application for TDIU was not a new claim but rather a notice of disagreement, and thus did not warrant an earlier effective date. The evidence does not show unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to December 17, 2007.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination. The Veteran may be entitled to an increased disability rating or TDIU as a result of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for folliculitis of the neck was denied. The RO granted service connection and a 10 percent rating for left elbow disability, left shoulder strain, and degenerative disc disease at L4-5. However, the Veteran's appeal is not about service connection issues.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability did not cause his death from sepsis and urinary tract infection. The Board finds that the Veteran's dementia, which broke the chain of causation between the fall and subsequent complications, contributed to his death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy was denied as the evidence did not show that his condition was incurred in or aggravated by service, and there is no presumption of exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral glaucoma, soft tissue sarcoma, peripheral neuropathy of the feet, and chloracne due to Agent Orange exposure were denied. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy and whether it is related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple conditions, including cancers and neurological disorders, all potentially related to exposure to burn pits. The case is being remanded for additional medical records and verification of a claimed stressor.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The reduction of the disability rating for gouty arthritis of the right ankle was upheld, but a restoration of a 30 percent evaluation is not warranted.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 8520. The evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining SSA disability records and a medical examination to assess the extent of his service-connected disabilities' impact on his ability to use his lower extremities.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy and hypertension, finding that the conditions were not related to service or service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service treatment records are negative for complaints, treatment, and diagnoses of peripheral neuropathy. His post-service medical records do not support a current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy of the left upper or bilateral lower extremities. Therefore, his claims for service connection for these disabilities have been denied.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of lower extremities due to vestibular neuropathy was denied. The issue of service connection for a neuropsychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, was also addressed but the rating assigned is not applicable as it pertains to special monthly compensation.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claim of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions are now pending.

The Veteran's claimed bilateral arm and finger disorder, as well as his diabetes mellitus, were not incurred or aggravated during service. The Board denied the claims for service connection.

The Veteran's hypertension is not found to be caused by or aggravated by his service-connected coronary artery disease. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities has been evaluated as 10 percent disabling prior to July 28, 2009 and higher than 10 percent thereafter.

The Board found that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities was not incurred in or aggravated by service, to include herbicide exposure. Service connection for this condition is denied.