Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and peripheral neuropathy of the lower left extremity sciatic nerve were denied as there was no evidence to support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a right ankle disability and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for non-obstructive coronary artery disease. The appeal regarding service connection for a left ankle disability (other than Achilles tendonitis) is dismissed.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the cause of the Veteran's vascular vestibular neuropathy and whether it is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the cause of the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and whether it is related to service, including exposure to lead. The claims are being remanded for additional medical opinions.

The Board has awarded a 20 percent evaluation for the Veteran's left ankle disability beginning August 24, 2005. The case is being remanded to address increased evaluations and a separate neurological disorder of the left ankle.

The Board has granted a rating of 40 percent for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The case is remanded for further development regarding service connection claims.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for diabetes mellitus, type II and its complications, as well as various eye disabilities, heart conditions, peripheral neuropathy, and psychiatric disorders. The remand is due to the need to verify the Veteran’s reported exposure to herbicides while in Panama.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including ankle sprains, knee disorders, shoulder disorders, and neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. The decision found no current disabilities that could be linked to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for skin cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities associated with diabetes due to alleged exposure to herbicides in Thailand. The Veteran's duty assignments are unclear, and further verification is needed.

The Veteran's preexisting migraine headaches are found to be aggravated by active service, and the claim for service connection is granted. The claims for bilateral lower extremity neuropathy involving the sciatic nerve, cervical spine disability, and acquired psychiatric disability are denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records, as there is inconsistency in the cause of the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected Guillain Barre Syndrome and awarded special monthly compensation at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for aortic sclerosis, polyneuropathy, and diabetic neuropathy has been granted. The Veteran is now rated at 50% for his mood disorder with major depressive features.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for aortic sclerosis, polyneuropathy, and diabetic neuropathy has been granted. An increased evaluation of 50 percent is assigned for the Veteran’s mood disorder with major depressive features.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities due to insufficient attempts to verify the Veteran's in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of frostbite of the left foot, neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and headaches are granted. The claim for a back disability is remanded.

The Veteran's right upper extremity tremors due to Parkinson's disease, including associated ulnar nerve neuropathy, are rated at 40 percent effective from February 26, 2015.

The Board denied a change in the Veteran's vocational rehabilitation training program due to his refusal to pursue a pharmacist goal and his inability to find employment as one, despite physical limitations.

The Veteran's cause of death was not due to a service-connected disability.,Service connection for the cause of death is denied as there is no medical evidence linking the Veteran’s primary and contributory causes of death (acute renal failure, congestive heart failure, bladder cancer, and renal cancer) to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathies, to include as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, are being remanded due to the need for an updated VA examination.