Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The case is being remanded for additional development to address the nature and etiology of any orthopedic and neurological disabilities of the Veteran's right foot, including whether they are congenital diseases or defects.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy. The evidence does not establish a nexus between these conditions and service or any presumptive exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's service connection claims for mitochondrial degeneration, Meniere's disease, bilateral macular degeneration, disorders affecting the bilateral lower extremity (peroneus brevis muscular myopathy and superficial peroneal nerve neuropathy), bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral upper extremity neuropathy are related to his military service. As such, these claims have been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation since June 4, 2010.

The Veteran's diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities is currently rated at 40 percent, effective June 16, 2016.,Prior to June 16, 2016, the Veteran was granted a higher rating for his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disorder(s), including PTSD, as well as left leg numbness. The examiner must also provide an opinion on whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's internal saphenous neuropathy of the left leg is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted based on the evidence provided.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and neuropathy of the lower extremities due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his active military service in Thailand. The acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) is also service connected.,Service connection was established based on a finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service, specifically his time stationed at Korat air base in Thailand.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development to determine the nature and etiology of his neck and left shoulder conditions, including whether they are related to his service-connected left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an abdominal muscle disorder was denied. The claims of increased ratings for lumbar spine DDD and left hip DJD, as well as the claim for increased rating for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were also denied. Service connection for tinea pedis (athlete's foot) was granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA examinations and medical opinions to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities and a skin disorder. The issues include secondary service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The effective date for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease was not earlier than April 8, 2012.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and a skin disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service, including exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and diabetic retinopathy with cataracts have precluded the Veteran from substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience. The criteria for entitlement to a TDIU were met from August 9, 2011 to January 13, 2015.

The Veteran does not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus and its secondary effects on other disabilities, have been denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents or direct service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further development and adjudication of his claims, including a TDIU claim.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, bilateral leg disability (excluding peripheral neuropathy), arthritis, and bilateral eye disability. As such, these claims remain denied.

The Board denied service connection for BUE and BLE peripheral neuropathy and residuals of breast cancer, finding that the Veteran's conditions are not related to her military service. The evidence did not show a nexus between her in-service duties and her current diagnoses.