Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Veteran's left ulnar neuropathy has been rated at 30 percent since the period on appeal, which is considered a full grant of his claim as he stated during the hearing that this rating would satisfy his appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are related to his exposure to herbicides, specifically Agent Orange, during service. The claims for service connection have been granted.

The Veteran is entitled to an effective date of May 12, 2006 for his TDIU and DEA benefits due to the severity of his service-connected disabilities that rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes mellitus, do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that he is unable to secure or follow such employment due to his age and the nature of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is being remanded due to a lack of an adequate medical examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his condition, as well as missing VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and a bilateral foot disorder have been denied as there is no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after service. The Board also found that presumptive service connection based on herbicide exposure was not warranted.

The Board found that the appellant did not have an acquired psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus type II, diabetic retinopathy, or peripheral neuropathy due to service connection. The stressors claimed by the appellant were determined to be the result of willful misconduct and thus do not qualify as in-service stressors for PTSD.

The Veteran is granted service connection for type II diabetes, peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, and diabetic nephropathy due to his previously service-connected diabetes. The Veteran's hearing loss is rated at 30 percent since December 1, 2017.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the nature and cause of his peripheral neuropathy, including whether it is related to herbicide exposure during service. The AOJ will arrange for VA examinations to determine if the Veteran's conditions are early-onset or delayed-onset and whether they are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lung adenocarcinoma and peripheral neuropathy, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied service connection for cellulitis of the left leg in September 2015. New evidence received since then is considered cumulative and does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim or raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board denied service connection for heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities due to lack of evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and providing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding whether any diagnosed psychiatric disability is caused or aggravated by service-connected disabilities. The SMC claim may also be affected due to the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left upper extremity nerve disability as secondary to his service-connected chronic left wrist sprains, carpal tunnel syndrome, mild left ulnar neuropathy, and cubital tunnel syndrome is being remanded due to the need for clarification of the Veteran's current disability picture.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a low back disorder. The Veteran's neuropathy of the right lower extremity is found to be secondary to his now service-connected low back disability.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and thus the case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's neurogenic bladder is associated with his service-connected herniated disc, L-5/S-1. Service connection for this condition has been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.