Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence linking the condition to active duty service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy and the issue of a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability prior to December 6, 2016 due to inadequate VA examinations and missing medical records.

The Board denied the veteran's surviving spouse's claims for Aid and Attendance benefits and nonservice-connected pension benefits due to a lack of evidence demonstrating that the appellant requires aid and attendance or meets other eligibility requirements.

The Board is remanding the cases due to unclear medical evidence regarding whether the Veteran has separate diagnoses of peripheral neuropathy and peripheral vascular disease, as well as inextricably intertwined issues related to extraschedular ratings for diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to June 1, 2016.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is rated at 40 percent from December 23, 2015. The earlier effective date of August 9, 2005 for service connection has been granted.,The Veteran’s depressive disorder remains rated at 10 percent.

Your appeals for service connection have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate these claims as they are now moot.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are granted as service connected, with the presumption of exposure to herbicides during his military service.

Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is granted. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities is remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for leukemia, diabetes mellitus type II, left leg peripheral neuropathy, right leg peripheral neuropathy, and erectile dysfunction. The claim for a skin rash is also remanded as no VA examiner has provided an opinion on its etiology.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence indicating that his acquired psychiatric disorder or PTSD is related to his service. The new medical evidence of record does not show a link between the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and his service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evaluation of his service-connected left arm disabilities, including a separate rating for the neuromuscular condition.

Service connection for neuropathy of the right upper extremity is granted as secondary to a service-connected cervical spine disability.,The Veteran's right hip disability remains at a noncompensable rating, with no evidence of limitation of motion reaching the required criteria.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral shin and foot conditions, including neuropathy, as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine intervertebral disc disease, and for tinnitus. The remand requires additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II (DMII), due to exposure to herbicide agents and for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities as secondary to DMII.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for type II diabetes mellitus, left and right lower extremity peripheral vascular disease, and left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are all denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable rating codes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disability, bilateral upper extremity neuropathy, and acquired psychological disorder (claimed as memory loss) due to inadequate examination reports. The Veteran is required to undergo new VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his disabilities.

The Veteran's request to reopen his service connection claim for type II diabetes mellitus is granted. His claims for high cholesterol, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and hypertension are remanded due to lack of evidence regarding herbicide exposure in Okinawa and contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The psychiatric disorder claim is also remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disorder, peripheral neuropathy (claimed as secondary to diabetes), and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as secondary to diabetes) due to the lack of current diagnoses in the record.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran will be asked to provide any missing medical records, and a VA examination will be arranged to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.