Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, and PTSD. The claims are now remanded for further development including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for right arm and left arm disorders, as well as the causation of a diagnosed right ulnar neuropathy by service-connected right shoulder degenerative joint disease. The case is being returned to the August 2017 VA examiner or another qualified examiner for additional development.

The case is being remanded to address a claim for CUE in the 1972 rating decision and to obtain an examination to determine if the Veteran's early-onset peripheral neuropathy is related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and diabetic neuropathy have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment since October 27, 2010.

The Board denied service connection for a neurological disability of the right upper extremity, finding that it was not incurred in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year after separation from service. The Veteran's neuropathy of the right wrist was diagnosed in 2013, which is more than ten years after his separation from service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on loss of use of the bilateral hands are being remanded due to new evidence and symptom progression. The Board will also consider his claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination due to insufficient evidence regarding the current state of the Veteran's service-connected right leg tibial neuropathy, as well as his lumbar and cervical spine disabilities. The claims are also being remanded because there is no adequate record of all relevant private treatment records from Overlake Hospital Medical Center.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, CAD, and peripheral neuropathy of the hands and feet have been granted.,Service connection has not been established for type II diabetes mellitus or CAD.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy and chronic kidney disease as complications of his service-connected diabetes mellitus. Service connection is also granted for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient medical opinions and records. The Veteran is being asked to undergo VA examinations for his diabetes, eye disabilities, lower extremity neurological conditions, heart disabilities, hypertension, and a balance disorder.

The Board has remanded several claims for service connection due to the death of the Veteran, and requests that the appellant clarify whether she wishes to proceed as a substitute claimant or for accrued benefits purposes. The appellant is also requested to provide any additional evidence pertinent to her claims.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for SLE, immune diseases, fibromyalgia, vertigo, skin condition, diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are granted. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a psychiatric disability, including anxiety disorder, is granted. Service connection for diabetes mellitus is granted at the 20 percent rating level. The appeals for peripheral neuropathy are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, nerve damage, hypertension, headaches, obstructive sleep apnea, a bilateral eye disability; and a right shoulder disability have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity are being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder and upper and lower extremity neuropathy, finding no evidence of such conditions in service or related to service.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypothyroidism and irritable bowel syndrome were denied due to her failure to report for scheduled VA examinations.

An increased rating of 80 percent for neuropathy of the left brachial plexus is granted as of October 6, 2017. The Veteran's psychiatric disability has been rated at 100 percent.,The SMC claim is remanded due to the presence of additional service-connected disabilities and potential confinement issues.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left and right lower extremity neuropathy, as well as a lumbar spine disability, have been granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including ischemic heart disease, erectile dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and front teeth injury. The remand requires further investigation into the Veteran's exposure to herbicides in Korea and a VA dental examination.

The Veteran's hearing loss may have worsened since his last VA examination, and he should be provided an opportunity to report for a VA examination. Additionally, the claims file lacks recent VA treatment records which need to be obtained.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left upper extremity disability, including carpal tunnel syndrome, is remanded due to the need for additional development and medical opinions.