Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board found that the veteran's diabetes mellitus warranted a 20 percent rating, and his peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities warranted separate 10 percent ratings. The appeals for higher ratings were denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have peripheral neuropathy of the feet and hands related to service or his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, diabetic nephropathy, and diabetic retinopathy with cataracts. The evidence did not support a higher evaluation for any of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, left ulnar nerve neuropathy, and arthritis of the left shoulder are all related to his service.

The veteran's claims for hearing loss, sleep disorder, lethargy, PTSD, stomach problems, intestinal polyps, skin condition of the legs, face, and arms (previously claimed as itching), diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and headaches have all been denied. The RO found no evidence to support these conditions or their relationship to service.,The veteran's claims for PTSD were previously denied due to lack of verified stressor events. New evidence submitted since the previous denial does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities alone do not prevent him from obtaining substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and chronic kidney failure due to herbicide exposure are all granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and determining if there is a relationship between the veteran's hepatitis C with peripheral neuropathy and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a brain tumor, focal seizures, and peripheral neuropathy of the left hand as these conditions were not directly incurred in service or due to Agent Orange exposure.

The veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities are of such nature and severity as to permanently prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, warranting a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current diagnoses of degenerative joint disease and neuropathy of the hands are related to his in-service cold injury, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's case is being remanded to obtain additional VA records and to schedule a VA examination. The issues include an increased evaluation for diabetes mellitus, reopening of a claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity as secondary to diabetes mellitus, and service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper and bilateral lower extremities and hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a right foot injury, residuals of a left foot injury, asbestosis, skin rash of the right index finger, diabetes mellitus to include as due to herbicide exposure, PTSD, emphysema, and an initial rating greater than 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the right knee.

The Board denied service connection for kidney disability, colon cancer, diabetes mellitus, type II, and diabetic neuropathy as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active duty.

The Board denied service connection for chronic heart disability, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities as these conditions are not related to active duty service or service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete medical records and the need for VA examinations.

The Board finds that the cause of death (Gram positive bacterial septicemia, urinary tract infection, and peripheral sensory neuropathy) had its onset many years after service and was not related to any in-service disease or injury. Therefore, the claim for service connection for the cause of death is denied.

The veteran's combined disability rating is 70 percent, which does not meet the criteria for TDIU as one of his service-connected disabilities must be rated at least 40 percent disabling.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including a VA examination of the veteran's lower extremities and an opinion on whether his polyneuropathy is related to service.

The Board found that the veteran's axonal neuropathy of all his extremities was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied the claims.