Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II. The AOJ is instructed to schedule VA examinations to address these issues.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, and the Board dismissed it.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for loss of the sense of smell, taste, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and muscle atrophy are denied as there is no competent and probative evidence establishing a relationship to service or a service-connected disability.,Service connection for coronary artery disease and pain disorder affecting the entire body with psychological factors is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's alleged exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot numbness (peripheral neuropathy) and psychiatric disorder were reopened. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied. The case is remanded for further review of the psychiatric disorder claim.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and has remanded the cases regarding rating increases for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities.

The Board has remanded several claims for additional development, including those related to the Veteran's neck disorder, neuropathy of bilateral upper and lower extremities, hip disorder, sleep apnea, right knee surgical scar, traumatic arthritis of the right knee, bilateral hearing loss, lumbar strain with degenerative osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, foot disorders (pes planus, metatarsalgia, hammertoes, hallux valgus, plantar fasciitis, and degenerative joint disease), and psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the cause of death was septic shock, but is unable to make a fully informed decision on whether the Veteran's service-connected conditions contributed to his death. The VA examiner will need to review all relevant medical records and provide an opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and incomplete VA treatment records. The issues include prostate disability, COPD, arthritis of various joints, neuropathy of the lower extremities, and SMC.

The Veteran's sciatic neuropathy of both lower extremities is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board has remanded the case for further development and re-adjudication.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and diabetic neuropathy due to insufficient reasoning in the previous decision. The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus, type II is being reviewed again with a new addendum opinion.

The Board has remanded several issues related to PTSD, peripheral neuropathy ratings, and SMC based on need of aid and attendance. The effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD remains denied.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU and basic eligibility for education benefits under Chapter 35 (DEA) from December 17, 2008. The effective date of these awards has been set at this time.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for neuropathy of the left and right upper extremities, as these conditions are claimed to be secondary to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's bilateral wrist carpal tunnel syndrome is not related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability, urinary incontinence, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and radiculopathy, depression, and residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI).,Service connection was not granted as the Veteran's current disabilities are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 8515.,The Veteran's hemorrhoids are currently rated as noncompensable. The VA examiner noted that the Veteran’s hemorrhoids do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left elbow fracture and associated ulnar neuropathy due to conflicting information in the records, particularly regarding whether his preexisting conditions were aggravated by service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ischemic heart disease, prostate cancer, low back disability with radiculopathy, testicular hypogonadism, and depressive disorder have been granted due to exposure to herbicide agents during his service at U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Force Base.,Service connection has also been denied for bilateral cataracts.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a grant of financial assistance for an automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only, as they do not result in loss or use of hands or feet.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's GERD is secondary to his service-connected residuals of a dog bite with left ulnar neuropathy, including NSAIDs use. The decision grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension are granted as presumptively due to herbicide agent exposure in Vietnam.,Right lower extremity and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are granted as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II. The heart condition is denied.