Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of relevant medical records, specifically from Dr. A.B.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating have been granted. The lung cancer status post lobectomy is rated at 10 percent since March 1, 2015.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for peripheral neuropathy has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board has also remanded his claims for increased disability ratings for left knee, patellofemoral pain syndrome with degenerative arthritis, and left ankle osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for left lower extremity diabetic polyneuropathy, right lower extremity diabetic polyneuropathy, and hypertension have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence.

The Board has decided to remand five issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative arthritis of various joints and peripheral neuropathy/radiculopathy. These include shoulder, spine, hip, knee conditions as well as bilateral lower extremity conditions.

The Board denied compensation for a right lower calf/foot injury due to surgery under 38 U.S.C. §1151, finding that the preponderance of evidence does not support an additional disability caused by or resulting from the July 1999 VA surgery.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to presumed in-service exposure to Agent Orange. The case is remanded for further examination and rating considerations regarding PTSD with alcohol abuse.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including right shoulder, left wrist, left leg, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and facial disabilities. The Veteran's claims for myofascial pain syndrome (right pectoral muscle), right foot disability (right great toe), nasal disability, hemorrhoids, mole on the outside of his right knee, and bruxism are pending.

The Veteran's spouse is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on her need for aid and attendance due to physical limitations including chronic back pain, shoulder pain, wrist pain, peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral carpal tunnel.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating of various conditions due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The effective date for service connection remains August 12, 2004.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right lower extremity neuropathy, as secondary to diabetes mellitus II. The VA needs to obtain treatment records from Drs. RM and LR, schedule a VA examination, and provide medical opinions regarding the relationship of the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy to his service, presumed exposure to herbicide agents, and service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy in the upper extremities has been denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of chronic symptoms during or after service, and concluded that the current diagnosis is not related to military service.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's progressive motor neuropathy, including as due to herbicide exposure. The appellant contends this condition was caused by Agent Orange exposure during service.

The Veteran's DM rating was restored from 20% to 40%, effective February 13, 2012. The Board found the reduction in rating proper and denied restoration of a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, retinopathy, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure during service. The appeal is based on presumptive service connection under the Agent Orange Act.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, and bilateral peripheral neuropathy are at least as likely as not of such severity as to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have service in Vietnam, and thus is not entitled to presumptive service connection for any of his claimed conditions based on herbicide exposure. The claims are being remanded as there is insufficient evidence to support a finding of service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further evaluation due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the onset of the Veteran's disabilities and their severity.

The Veteran's left knee disorder is granted service connection. The rating for urinary dysfunction prior to August 15, 2007 is denied and the case is remanded for further examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, was rated at 20% prior to August 18, 2014, and increased to 40% thereafter. The appeal is denied as the disability does not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating.