Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Veteran's initial increased rating claims for his coronary artery disease, degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbosacral spine, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity are being remanded due to incomplete development.,Further examination is needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss and right lower extremity neuropathy (claimed as a right hip disorder) are granted service connection. The respiratory disorder is remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and remanded the claims of service connection for a skin disability (diagnosed as dry skin), headaches, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's left upper extremity conditions are related to her military service.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, as these conditions are not related to military service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date prior to February 21, 2013 for the grant of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities. The appeal is remanded for additional development and consideration.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is remanded due to potential exposure to herbicides during his tour in Okinawa. The Board finds that additional development, including obtaining DoD reports on herbicide storage on Okinawa, is necessary.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and evaluation of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Crohn’s disease, migraine headaches, lumbar spine condition (status-post laminectomy), right lower extremity neuropathy, and radiculopathy. The earlier effective date and TDIU claims are also inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and its secondary peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities is related to his service, including Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities due to Agent Orange exposure, as well as secondary to diabetes mellitus. Additional development is required to determine if these conditions are related to military service or pre-existing conditions.

The Board has determined that additional substantive development is required for the initial rating, service connection and TDIU claims due to the need for a VA examination and outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction associated with diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. The decision found no evidence of exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicide agents during service in Guam, and no current evidence that these conditions were incurred in service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of chronic right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, which was previously denied.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, as well as service connection for a bilateral knee condition. The issues regarding lung cancer and pyorrhea remain on appeal.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for pancreatic cancer as secondary to service-connected disabilities due to inadequate development and need for a VA examination.

The Board denied attorney fees for the February 2014 rating decision awarding service connection for PTSD with depression, diabetic polyneuropathy of the right upper extremity, and diabetic polyneuropathy of the left upper extremity because no notice of disagreement was filed prior to the February 2014 rating decision.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected nephropathy prior to March 28, 2018 was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 60 percent.,For the period from March 28, 2018 onwards, the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected nephropathy was also denied due to lack of findings meeting the criteria for an 80 percent rating.

The Board has found that a remand is necessary to obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral radiculopathy and neuropathy, as the current medical opinions are inadequate.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the Veteran is currently employed as a maintenance engineer at St. Francis Medical Center, which does not render him unemployable due to his service-connected conditions.