Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities. However, it denied his claims for both reopening and for a higher rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's adhesive capsulitis, right shoulder, with history of recurrent dislocation is currently rated at 40 percent. The Board finds no basis for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability to include degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine had its onset in service and is granted as service connected. The issues regarding his knee disabilities are remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for additional VA examinations to assess his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided that the case needs further examination and medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's current left lower extremity neurological disorder, including peripheral neuropathy, is related to his service, particularly his presumed exposure to Agent Orange. The appeal will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran is seeking compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 for surgery resulting in right peroneal nerve injury and right foot drop sensory neuropathy, which are service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected right hand peripheral neuropathy and degenerative joint disease of the right wrist have been granted a 30 percent evaluation, effective June 28, 2012. The Board also found that he is not entitled to TDIU for the entire period on appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset in service or within one year of exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran is also required to provide additional treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his service-connected conditions and exposure to herbicides. The Board has determined that a new examination is needed for the peripheral neuropathy, left foot and ankle disorders, and left foot gout claims due to inconsistencies in previous opinions and lack of adequate examinations.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of October 28, 2009 for the awards of separate, compensable ratings for his service-connected disabilities. A TDIU is also granted effective from that same date.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease, status post myocardial infarction, did not meet the criteria for a higher than 60 percent rating prior to March 24, 2014. The VA examinations conducted during this appeal were adequate for rating purposes.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic lumbar strain with nerve impingement to the L4-L5 L5-S1 dermatome in the right tibial region and primary sensory polyneuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be at least as likely as not related to his service-connected hearing loss.,The Veteran's left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are found to be at least as likely as not secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board found no evidence to support service connection for the claimed conditions, including calcaneal spur of the right ankle and neuropathy of both lower extremities. The Veteran's symptoms were not shown during active service or within presumptive periods, and there is insufficient medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records from 1986 to 2009.

The Veteran's claims regarding his service-connected left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are being remanded for additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper and bilateral lower extremities, and chronic lymphedema. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were first shown during or within one year after service.

The Board finds that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam or have duties near the perimeter of a Thailand air base, and thus cannot establish exposure to herbicide agents. As such, service connection for DM, HTN, PN, and an eye disorder cannot be granted on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities did not manifest during service, nor is it presumed to have been caused by exposure to herbicide agents. The Board finds that there is insufficient evidence to establish a direct or secondary connection between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left sciatic neuropathy and a need for a new VA examination.