Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus. The decision is based on the evidence showing that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy was aggravated by his service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, an acquired psychiatric disability, bilateral hearing loss, a heart condition, diabetes mellitus, type II, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and musculoskeletal disabilities have all been denied.,Service connection has not been established for any of the conditions listed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment since April 9, 2010. The Board finds that the Veteran was unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his combination of service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination for PTSD. The claims are being remanded to allow for this development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including chronic myositis of the paralumbar spine muscles, cervical spine with pain radiating to the lower extremities, sleep apnea, hypertension, cardiac arrhythmia, diabetes mellitus type II, subdural hematomas, headaches, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities, and sleep apnea due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active duty service. The Veteran's records do not indicate exposure to herbicide agents during his time at RTAFB Udorn.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's terminal hospital reports and missing February 2017 rating action. The appellant’s claims for service connection are also remanded due to an incomplete list of dates the Veteran served on active duty, ACDUTRA, or INACDUTRA.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person, leading to a grant of SMC. The issue of rating for recurrent lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease is remanded due to evidence suggesting worsening.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease has rendered him unemployable, and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted. Additionally, the Veteran is now eligible for special monthly compensation (SMC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s).

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease due to herbicide agent exposure, and remanded the remaining issues related to heart conditions, hypertension, cerebrovascular accident (CVA or stroke), sleep apnea, seizures, peripheral neuropathy, and an acquired psychological disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, but the right foot disability claim was denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The peroneal mononeuropathy claim is also granted.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction is now rated at 40 percent since August 23, 2011.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities are both rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection, initial ratings for neuropathy and retinopathy/cataracts, as well as a TDIU claim. The low back disability is denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service or any diagnosed condition. Initial ratings for lower extremity neuropathies are also denied. Separate compensable ratings for non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy and bilateral cataracts are not warranted.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination as there are questions regarding the adequacy of the current evidence, particularly in relation to the Veteran's service connection claims.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to address the issue of service connection for migraine headaches. The RO must acknowledge the Veteran’s NOD and provide an SOC.

The Veteran's widow is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance of another person. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for loss of balance due to lack of a Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus type II (DM II), Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, neuropathy of the bilateral lower and upper extremities, and sarcoidosis were not shown to be related to his military service or herbicide exposure.,The Board found that there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides for any of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for DDD of the lumbar spine with demyelinating sensory polyneuropathy as it is not proximately due to or aggravated by a service-connected left ankle disability.,The Board denied service connection for COPD, concluding that there is no evidence showing its onset during service and finding that it is more likely related to tobacco abuse rather than an in-service injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current foot disabilities, including tinea pedis, onychomycosis, fungal paronychia, polyneuropathy, neuralgia, and arthritis of the right foot are at least as likely as not related to cold exposure during a period of Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA) in January 1994.

The Board has granted secondary service connection for cervical radiculopathy affecting the right upper extremity and lumbar radiculopathy affecting the bilateral lower extremities.,Both conditions are found to be proximately due to the Veteran's service-connected cervical strain and lumbar sprain, respectively.