Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded several issues, including the evaluation for a lower back injury, increased ratings for diabetes and peripheral neuropathy, and TDIU benefits. The Veteran will need to undergo examinations and extraschedular consideration.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder and remanded the claims for prostate cancer, left upper extremity neuropathy, right upper extremity neuropathy, left lower extremity neuropathy, and right lower extremity neuropathy due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial.

Service connection for headaches is denied.,Service connection for OSA is granted on a secondary basis to PTSD.,The effective date of service connection for PTSD is July 15, 2013.,The effective date of service connection for tinnitus is July 15, 2013.,The effective date of service connection for DMII with ED is November 15, 2012.,The effective date of service connection for PN of the bilateral lower extremities is September 12, 2014.

The Board has remanded the issues of severing service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities due to new evidence showing that previous VA medical opinions were incorrect.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral neuropathy of the lower extremities, finding that the Veteran's current condition is due to frostbite he experienced during active military service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, traumatic brain injury, vertigo, cervical spine disability, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy. The reasons given include the lack of credible evidence linking these conditions to service.,Service records do not show any incidents or diagnoses related to the claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's left leg peripheral neuropathy is rated at 20 percent since February 1, 2009. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence shows moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of each upper and lower extremity, as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The appeals for bilateral hearing loss, psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy are remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy did not meet the criteria for a 40 percent rating, and his diabetes was rated as 20 percent disabling due to regulation of activities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and related neuropathies, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since at least March 9, 2011. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability effective from July 20, 2015.

The Veteran's hypertension and diabetes mellitus, type II are granted as secondary to herbicide exposure in Thailand. The peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is also granted as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection are denied as there is no indication that he filed a claim prior to the dates assigned.,The Veteran's hypertension and stroke residuals claims are remanded due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, and need for etiology opinions.

A 20 percent rating for the service-connected back disorder is granted effective July 1, 2015.,Service connection for urinary incontinence is granted.

The Veteran's chronic kidney disease is granted service connection and rated at 20 percent. His peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities are each granted a 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's TMJ and sleep apnea claims are granted, with the latter being secondary to her service-connected cervical spine disability. Other secondary service connection claims for various conditions are also granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence regarding his exposure to herbicide agents and verification of his service on the USS Uhlmann in Vietnam.

The Veteran's bilateral foot neuropathy is related to his service at Camp Lejeune, and the Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise, granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy may be related to his service-connected lumbosacral degenerative disc disease, but needs further examination and evidence to determine if it is due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, which is secondary to the Veteran's diabetes mellitus.