Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral lower and upper extremity peripheral neuropathy secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. However, these claims are still being remanded as new evidence requires further examination and development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further medical examinations.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings for PTSD, lumbar degenerative joint disease, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity. The Board has referred these issues back to the AOJ due to procedural issues with his initial claim forms. Additionally, the Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including glaucoma, sleep apnea, hypertension, renal failure, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and diabetic retinopathy, are not service-connected. The evidence does not establish herbicide exposure or any other link between the Veteran's current disabilities and his military service.

The Board denied VA payment for a powered mobility device, to include a motorized wheelchair, as the Veteran's medical records showed he could achieve adequate functional mobility without such devices through standard medical or rehabilitative treatments.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, right ankle fracture residuals, diabetes mellitus type 2, tinnitus, and peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. His total disability rating is currently at 80 percent.

The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for right ulnar neuropathy has been reopened, but further development is needed to determine the nature and severity of the disability. The Veteran's service-connected multiple arthralgias with history of leukopenia and possible ankylosing spondylitis also need evaluation due to potential impact on employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus and bilateral peripheral neuropathy, lower extremities due to incomplete records from VA treatment in Houston, Texas.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has diabetes mellitus (DM) or arthritis of hands and feet, as well as any current neurological impairment of the hands and feet. The claims are also being remanded for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.,Service connection cannot be granted on a direct basis because there is no evidence showing that any signs or symptoms of hypertension, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, or peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities manifested during active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including traumatic brain injury, tension headaches, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, vascular dementia, and peripheral neuropathy of bilateral upper and lower extremities, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU based on these combined disabilities.

The Board has remanded multiple claims for service connection, including for DJD of various joints and related disabilities such as hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathy, and tinnitus. The claims are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted because his service-connected diabetes-related peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, combined with his nonservice-connected cervical spondylosis and cervical spine atrophy and compression, makes him unemployable.

The Veteran's respiratory/pulmonary problems, heart condition (coronary artery disease), hypertension, circulatory condition, skin condition, recurrent headaches, eye condition and vision problems, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and psychiatric condition are not related to his military service.,The Veteran's current disabilities do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, which was dismissed as a result.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues of service connection for a neurological condition of the bilateral upper extremities and for a left knee disability. As such, these issues are dismissed.

The Veteran's left upper extremity neuropathy, lung cancer (if present), diabetes, and chronic kidney disease are all service-connected. The Veteran is granted a maximum schedular rating of 100 percent for diabetes and the grant of service connection for left upper extremity neuropathy. However, there is no separate rating for diabetic chronic kidney disease as it is considered a complication of diabetes. The psychiatric disability is rated at 70 percent but not in excess of that level.

The Veteran's Type II diabetes mellitus is rated at 40 percent, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and a VA examination to address whether the Veteran's upper extremity disabilities are related to his service-connected cervical radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes, hypertension, neuropathy of the feet and legs, ischemic heart disease, stroke, and depression due to potential exposure to herbicides while serving on ships off the coast of Vietnam. The claim for service connection for a headache condition is also remanded.