Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for a neurological disability of the right and left lower extremities, finding no present disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for thyroid cancer and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, both claimed as due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The evidence did not support a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's service or his presumed exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, effective October 26, 2017. The issue remains on appeal for a higher rating prior to that date.,TDIU was granted from August 2010 to prior to October 26, 2017.

The Board denied service connection for morbid obesity, including as due to service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine. The claim for ulnar neuropathy of the right wrist and rating for lumbosacral spine disability is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy in both upper and lower extremities, as well as a TDIU prior to June 29, 2016. The evidence did not support the Veteran's claims of service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes, prevent him from maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing VA treatment records and a need for further examination. The issues include back disability, neck disability, hip disorders, lower extremity neuropathies, muscle cramps, edema, and upper left arm pain.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic peripheral neuropathy, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and his active duty service or herbicide agent exposure. The Veteran's STRs did not show any complaints, treatment, or diagnosis related to peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of upper and lower extremities due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claims are being reviewed again.

The Veteran's claims for a separate compensable rating for erectile dysfunction (ED) and onychomycosis of the right great toe associated with service-connected diabetes mellitus are denied.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings in excess of 20 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities prior to September 18, 2013, are also denied. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied.,His total disability rating due to individual unemployability claim has also been denied.

The Board denied service connection for left and right lower extremity neuropathy, finding no evidence of a nexus to service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities are granted, with a rating of 40 percent. The claim for TDIU due to service-connected PTSD and hemorrhoids is also granted.

The Veteran's neck and low back disabilities were not incurred in service, nor are they related to any incident of service.,Neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities was not shown to have had its onset during service or within a year thereafter. The Veteran did not seek treatment for these conditions until many years after service separation.

The Veteran's right femur fracture residuals are not related to active service or any incident of service, including as due to his service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity.,The Veteran’s coronary artery disease is manifested by a left ventricular ejection fraction of 65 percent and does not warrant a disability rating greater than 30 percent.

Service connection for PTSD is granted as the Veteran's reported combat experiences in Vietnam are sufficient to establish his service-connected stressors, and he has a current diagnosis of PTSD.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities is denied as there is no evidence that it became manifest during or within one year after service.

The Board dismissed all previously appealed claims due to the Veteran's request to withdraw his appeal.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and a jaw disorder have been dismissed due to his request for withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left and right legs had improved, warranting a reduction in disability ratings from 10% to 0%. The restoration of the 10% rating is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for asthma, left and right foot neuropathy, erectile dysfunction associated with prostate cancer residuals, and residuals of prostate cancer due to a lack of adequate examination opinions regarding the relationship between his conditions and herbicide exposure. The Veteran will need to undergo new VA examinations to determine if his conditions are related to service.