Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received since the July 2012 rating decision, warranting readjudication of the claim. The AOJ is required to readjudicate the case on the merits.

Your appeal for service connection has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to proceed with your claims as they are no longer valid.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, left upper extremity neuropathy, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) due to a lack of VA treatment records from the 1960s and 1970s. The Veteran testified that he received treatment for these conditions at various locations including Meadville VA, Franklin Hospital, and privately.

The Veteran's sensory neuropathy of the left lower extremity is rated at 10 percent, and his back disability remains at a 20 percent rating. The Board has granted a higher rating for the sensory neuropathy but denied any increase in the rating for the back disability.

The Veteran's skin condition is not related to active service and is attributed to a known clinical diagnosis.,Headaches are less likely caused by an in-service head injury and are not due to exposure event during Southwest Asia service.,Chronic fatigue syndrome is more likely related to other conditions such as sleep apnea, insomnia, and mood disorder rather than chronic fatigue syndrome.,Peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities and lower extremities have no current diagnosis or etiology provided by the VA examination.

The Board has restored service connection for coronary artery disease, type II diabetes mellitus, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to the improper severance of these conditions. The issues of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral shoulder, knee, and hip disabilities are not service-connected as they are less likely than not related to his active duty.,His low back disability is also denied as it did not manifest during service or within one year of separation.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, as well as his claim for a compensable rating for diabetic retinopathy with cataracts. The case is remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II.

Service connection for DMII and related peripheral neuropathies due to herbicide exposure is granted. The Veteran's claims were reopened based on new evidence, and service connection was established for diabetes mellitus type II and its associated peripheral neuropathy in the upper and lower extremities.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including assessing the symptomatology associated with diagnosed conditions and providing clarification on service connection claims.

Your service connection claims for diabetic peripheral neuropathy in your left and right feet have already been granted by VA, so these issues are dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type 2, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are granted as they are presumed to be related to herbicide exposure during his service in Thailand.

The Veteran's service connection claim for CAD is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The claims for increased ratings of diabetes mellitus, left upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, Grave's disease, and lumbar spine disability are all granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed visits to Saigon, Vietnam. The underlying claim for diabetes mellitus, type II, will be considered in conjunction with these other conditions.

The Board has granted the petitions to reopen the previously denied claims for service connection for left lower extremity (LLE) peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity (RLE) peripheral neuropathy, and erectile dysfunction (ED), all claimed as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II. The claims are remanded due to the unadjudicated claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, coronary artery disease, lumbar spine DDD, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and tinnitus, have precluded him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work experience.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted a rating of 40 percent, but no higher.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease and hypertension are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The issues of service connection for PTSD, peripheral neuropathy right lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy left lower extremity remain on appeal.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is remanded as new VA treatment records may provide relevant information.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including TMJ dysfunction, left upper and lower extremity neuropathy, restless leg syndrome with body twitches, and sleep apnea. The TBI residuals issue is also being remanded for further examination.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service event, injury, or disease.