Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and sustaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the hands and remanded issues regarding a skin rash, right lower extremity injury residuals, and prostate cancer. The decision is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, have been granted. However, his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied due to lack of current disability. The initial ratings for other conditions are also denied.

The Board denied service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, GERD, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, diabetic retinopathy, bladder disability / urinary frequency, skin disability of the hands and feet, and diarrhea due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence being requested. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed, but additional records are needed from his pre-employment physical at Hillcroft Medical Clinic.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity has been granted with a 20 percent evaluation.,The Veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus has been denied.,The Veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity has been granted with a 20 percent evaluation.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's service-connected conditions and their relationship to his other disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral extremities, and bilateral hearing loss are all granted. Service connection is also established for tinnitus with an effective date of July 24, 2012.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding when the Veteran first experienced symptoms of peripheral neuropathy in his lower extremities, and whether it is related to service or exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's claims for hepatitis, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for vertigo, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and PTSD have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.,For the issue of a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, the Board finds that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for such a rating based on his current symptomatology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right lower extremity neuropathy secondary to pilonidal cyst residuals and denied his requests for increased ratings for pilonidal cyst residuals.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims to reopen for service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus, right foot peripheral neuropathy, left foot peripheral neuropathy, and right leg peripheral neuropathy. However, on de novo consideration, these conditions are not found to be related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to Agent Orange exposure, as well as his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The claims are being remanded for additional development including a new VA examination.

Service connection for renal cell carcinoma and right upper extremity disorder are restored, while the issues of service connection for recurrent bladder disorder and proctitis remain pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, but he does not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU. The case is being remanded for consideration of extraschedular TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, as well as left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to conflicting medical evidence on the existence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has denied service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability and remanded the remaining issues on appeal, including service connection for meningitis, chronic sinusitis, encephalopathy, skin cancer, Parkinson's disease, headaches, lumbar spine DDD, vision disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, neck stiffness, disability manifested by spitting blood, acquired psychiatric disorder, respiratory disorder, and gait ataxia. The Board also remanded for additional development regarding outstanding records from the James Haley VAMC and Social Security Administration.

The Veteran's increased ratings for thoracolumbar spine disability and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities have been denied by the Board.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus II, Charcot’s arthropathy, left foot deformity, diabetic retinopathy, diabetic foot ulcer, kidney condition, and diabetic bilateral lower extremity neuropathy are all granted service connection. The loss of use of creative organ, hypertension, acquired psychiatric disability, and dental conditions are remanded for further development.