Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ratings for hernias and hearing loss, as well as claims for peripheral neuropathy of the right arm with numbness, sleep apnea secondary to PTSD, and tinea versicolor. The issues are being remanded due to a lack of an SOC, need for additional development, and inextricably intertwined TDIU claim.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II (DM) due to lack of a current disability. The claims for peptic ulcers and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremity (BLE) are remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus type II, neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, impotency, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), all for accrued benefits purposes. The decision found no current disabilities or evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 20 percent effective May 19, 2008. The claim for service connection for neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities as secondary to his service-connected low back disability is granted.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was reopened and remanded. The claim for bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy remains denied.

The Board has granted service connection for clear cell renal carcinoma and peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, both related to herbicide agent exposure. Service connection was dismissed for esophagus erosion, anemia, and tooth erosion.

The Veteran's claim for carpal tunnel syndrome of the bilateral hands is dismissed as he withdrew it.,Service connection granted for unspecified trauma/stressor-related disorder. The Board found that his current diagnosis is related to in-service experiences and denied service connection for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and lower extremities due to lack of evidence of herbicide exposure.,Service connection denied for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, type II with peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities. The Veteran's service in Okinawa did not meet criteria for presumptive service connection due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II as due to herbicide exposure, amputation secondary to diabetes, and peripheral neuropathy secondary to diabetes. The reopening is based on new evidence that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral peripheral neuropathy and left knee disability was denied. The Board found no evidence linking the disabilities to his military service, including herbicide exposure. For the left knee disability, a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to December 6, 2011, and from February 1, 2013, was also denied.

The Board has denied service connection for a pulmonary disorder, neurological disorder, and genitourinary disorder (ED) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his active duty service or any other service-connected disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to exposure to herbicide agents, as they need further clarification and investigation.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection, rating, and TDIU claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been received. The right knee disability, sleep apnea condition (including as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II), and peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities are all being reviewed again.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an unspecified depressive disorder, back disorder, and neuropathy of both lower extremities is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the cases due to conflicting opinions and insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected conditions (sleep apnea, PTSD, sinusitis, and hypertension) and his sleep apnea. The remand also addresses the issue of service connection for ischemic optic neuropathy.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, sleep apnea, and hypertension was granted. Peripheral neuropathy is linked to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. Sleep apnea is not related to service or any other condition. Hypertension is secondary to ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and left foot neuropathy are rated at the lowest possible levels. The right foot neuropathy is rated as 20 percent prior to April 9, 2012, but not higher.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), sleep apnea, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions were related to service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for diabetes mellitus was denied as his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities as a complication of diabetes mellitus was also denied, as there is no evidence that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected. The Veteran's myopathy and anti-TS HDS neuropathy are remanded for further development regarding herbicide exposure.