Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2017

The Board is remanding the claims for further development to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents while stationed at Moffett Field, which could potentially support service connection for CLL and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities.

The Board found that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities did not have its clinical onset in service and is not otherwise related to active duty, and it was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes disability.

The VA Board denied service connection for a right foot disorder and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding no evidence of continuity of symptoms or medical relationship to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's appeal for higher initial ratings and a TDIU was granted. He is now rated at 100 percent for coronary artery disease, 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II, and 20 percent each for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities since December 11, 2014. Service connection for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy was granted as secondary to service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy and plantar fasciitis have been granted. The specific conditions, issues addressed, and the disposition of each claim are provided.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy or burning and tingling sensations in the feet, to include as a result of herbicide exposure, was denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy and opined that the symptoms were not related to spinal stenosis.

The Veteran is seeking higher rates of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on his service-connected disabilities, specifically peripheral neuropathy and diabetes. The Board will need to determine if he meets the criteria for SMC at the 'r' rate due to loss of use of both feet or the need for A&A based solely on his other service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to the AOJ for further development and readjudication. The AOJ will schedule a videoconference hearing before the Board at the earliest opportunity.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is currently rated as 50 percent disabling effective October 11, 2016. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating prior to this date.

The Board denied service connection for all claimed conditions, including diabetes mellitus, type II; left acoustic neuroma/vestibular schwannoma; eye disorder (including diabetic retinopathy); neuropathy; a disorder manifested by numbness of the hands; erectile dysfunction; and hypertension. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and updated medical records.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as bipolar and anxiety disorder and claimed as anxiety and PTSD, is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's index finger of left hand, diagnosed as trigger finger, may be secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities has not been found.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal on the issues of entitlement to initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder are service-connected, as is his tinnitus. His peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and asbestosis are not service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, claimed as due to exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange), is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's ulnar neuropathy of the right upper extremity was granted a 30 percent evaluation from February 9, 1989 to August 24, 2009.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic progressive segmental motor neuropathy and a skin condition, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claims. The appeal in regard to the skin disability was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran did not suffer additional disability as a result of the September 2006 VA hernia surgery, and the Board finds that his neurological problems were not caused by this surgery.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a new VA examination, and addressing whether the Veteran's neuropathy of the left upper extremity is related to military service or his service-connected diabetes mellitus.