Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the claims for thoracic outlet syndrome, brachial plexus neuropathy, and radiculopathy of both upper and lower extremities due to additional evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes, brain tumor, and left leg neuropathy due to lack of a medical opinion linking these conditions to service. The Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents is also under review.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions require him to need regular aid and attendance, thus he is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including pulmonary sarcoidosis, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, Cushing's Syndrome, osteoporosis of the lumbar spine, and duodenal ulcer, preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for prostate cancer, which was previously denied in May 2011 due to lack of evidence showing a link between the condition and military service or Agent Orange exposure, is granted. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for left and right leg disabilities, as well as the issue of service connection for prostate cancer based on herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities had its onset in service and is granted as service connected. The cervical spine lesion claim, including upper extremity symptoms, remains pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional records and further development of the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy and PTSD, specifically requiring a VA examination for both conditions.

The Board granted the Veteran's claim for a TDIU based on his service-connected left lower extremity neuropathy and colon cancer status post resection with scar, effective November 1, 2010.

The Veteran's bilateral pes cavus and plantar fasciitis, status-post hammer toe surgery, do not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent.,The Veteran's neuropathy of the right foot from June 20, 2012 to September 18, 2013 and from March 19, 2015 does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent. However, his neuropathy of the left foot from June 20, 2012 to September 18, 2013 and from March 19, 2015 meets the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.,The Veteran's neuropathy of the right foot from September 19, 2013 to March 18, 2015 does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent. However, his neuropathy of the left foot from September 19, 2013 to March 18, 2015 meets the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's application to reopen her previously denied claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied. Her claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, left and right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy, and right knee patellofemoral syndrome were also denied. The effective date of the award of service connection for diabetes mellitus remains September 6, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating and remanded his service connection claim for neuropathy of the lower extremities.

The Veteran's service connection for a psychiatric disorder and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities is granted as secondary to his service-connected multiple myeloma.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connection is established.,Service connection for a bilateral hip disability is denied due to lack of in-service injury or chronicity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to a lack of recent VA treatment records, the need for a contemporaneous VA examination, and the possibility that additional evidence may affect the outcome.

The Board denied service connection for right upper, left upper, right lower, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to lack of evidence showing early onset or etiological relationship with service, including exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's right arm disability (right carpal and cubital tunnel syndrome with peripheral neuropathy) was previously rated at 20 percent. The RO has remanded the case for a new examination to assess the current level of severity of his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for LLE and RLE peripheral neuropathy, heart condition, subfascial lipoma of the back, PTSD, and hiatal hernia and gastritis are all granted. The Veteran is also granted to reopen his claim for service connection for LUE peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection and TDIU claims, leaving no issues remaining before the Board.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right arm ulnar neuropathy, carpal tunnel, and scarring. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during or were related to his military service.