Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and left hand peripheral neuropathy do not render him unemployable as he has maintained employment for 22 years, with his last job due to pneumonia. The Board finds that the medical evidence does not support a finding of TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear medical records regarding whether the Veteran exhibits peripheral neuropathy of his right and/or left upper extremities. A VA examination is needed to clarify this issue.

The Board denied reopening the claim for astigmatism/presbyopia due to lack of new and material evidence. The ratings for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were granted at 20%. The case was remanded for further examination regarding the right shoulder dislocation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy was denied. The initial increased rating claims for left knee scars and the earlier effective date claim were granted with a 10 percent disability rating assigned as of March 22, 2016. However, all other issues related to his left knee disabilities were denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral neuropathy/radiculopathy is related to his presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam, and may be aggravated by service-connected diabetes. However, the VA examination was inadequate as it did not address these theories of entitlement or discuss the Veteran’s herniated disc and degenerative spine conditions. Therefore, another VA examination is needed.

Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is granted and effective from January 7, 2015.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for right big toe, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, depression, and tinnitus have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal.,Service connection has been granted for diabetes mellitus, type II, based on herbicide exposure in Thailand. Service connection is also granted for associated lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and medical opinions regarding his claimed conditions. Service connection will be determined based on the merits of each claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. No service connection decisions were made.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's neurological symptoms and whether they are related to service, particularly his service in the Persian Gulf.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess his ability to work with his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus has been rated at 20 percent since January 20, 2015. The Board found that the current level of disability requires an increased rating to 40 percent due to insulin and restricted diet requirements.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to exposure to herbicides, including for gout, left and right leg conditions, tinnitus, respiratory condition, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, prostate cancer, bladder disorder, migraines, peripheral neuropathy of the feet, restless leg syndrome of the legs, and a respiratory disability. The claims are remanded to allow for additional examinations and development.

The claim for service connection for a back disability is reopened, but the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, type II, and erectile dysfunction are denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU prior to November 15, 2010 are being remanded due to the possibility of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in previous rating decisions.

The Veteran's low back strain with DDD and right sciatic nerve neuropathy were rated at 20 percent, but no higher, for the period from June 1, 2013 to January 2, 2018. The Board found that the evidence did not support any increased rating prior to this date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no current diagnoses of peripheral neuropathy or psychiatric disorders, and the evidence did not support a finding that prostate cancer residuals resulted in voiding dysfunction or renal dysfunction.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to potential herbicide exposure. The Veteran's personnel records need to be obtained, and if applicable, a determination will be made regarding his presumed exposure.

Service connection for diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathy in the lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction was restored.,Service connection for diabetic retinopathy as secondary to diabetes mellitus was denied.