Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, cervicalgia and spondylosis is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that it began during service or is related to an in-service injury.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is denied as there is no evidence showing it began during service or is related to an in-service injury.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, right upper extremity, and lower extremities are all denied as they are not attributable to service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's paresthesias of the skin (claimed as myofascial pain) and chronic fatigue syndrome (claimed as chronic joint pain) are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy are each rated at 20 percent, as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during his service and whether he developed CISP as a result of such exposure. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent, and his peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are each rated at 40 percent. The Veteran does not meet criteria for separate ratings for an eye condition or erectile dysfunction associated with service-connected diabetes. TDIU is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, including colon cancer, chronic pain condition with loss of mobility, gastrointestinal disorder, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, all secondary to his service-connected colon cancer.

The Board has granted the reopening of the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee degenerative changes and patellar spur condition, but denied all other issues. The claim for right thigh scar is denied as there is no current diagnosis of a right thigh scar. The claims for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are also denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus. The issues of service connection for a kidney/bladder disorder, peripheral neuropathy, and an acquired psychiatric disorder remain remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the extremities, including paralysis of the sciatic nerve and upper median nerve, finding no nexus between his current condition and in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability, right ankle disability, chronic parotitis with stones, status post left parotidectomy, left knee disability, and right knee disability has been reopened. The claims are granted as secondary to bilateral otosclerosis with impaired hearing, post-operative stapedectomies.

The Board denied service connection for TBI and right knee disorder, but granted the reopening of claims for these conditions. Service connection was not established for DM, hypertension, chloracne, migraine headaches, peripheral neuropathy, or plantar fasciitis.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to insufficient evidence and requests for updated VA examinations, SSA records, and employment education information. The Veteran's disabilities are expected to be evaluated in detail.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right lower extremity numbness/neuropathy are granted, as new evidence supports reopening the claims. The claim for sleep disorder is denied.,Service connection for a sleep disorder secondary to PTSD is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for spinal stenosis and carpal tunnel surgery, as well as their related residuals. The remand requires a new examination to address the onset of symptoms and any service connection.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including DM with diabetic retinopathy and ED, CAD, CVA, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, hypertension, and renal dysfunction. The decision found no evidence of herbicide exposure in Korea and that the disorders were not shown in service or within one year of separation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Type II Diabetes Mellitus, Cataracts, Erectile Dysfunction, Peripheral Neuropathy of Bilateral Hands, Peripheral Neuropathy of Bilateral Feet, and Hypertension have all been denied as there is no direct evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

Service connection for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus type II. Service connection for upper extremity peripheral neuropathy remains pending.

The Board restored the Veteran's disability ratings for peripheral neuropathy of his upper and lower extremities from noncompensable to 20% effective August 1, 2014.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for right great toe disorder and lumbar spine disorder. The claims for residuals of a head injury, neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, hematuria, erectile dysfunction, right shoulder strain, and bilateral restless leg syndrome have been denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for spondylolisthesis, an acquired psychiatric condition secondary to spondylolisthesis, and residuals of a gunshot wound to the upper iliac crest area with neuropathy of the right lower extremity. The Veteran's VA treatment records from 1982 to 2012 need to be obtained, as well as any SSA disability benefits records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a head injury and blackout spells. The claim for peripheral neuropathy is remanded due to new evidence indicating possible exposure to solvents during service.