Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, right knee disorder, and higher ratings for diabetic neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities affecting both the sciatic and femoral nerves are being remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding his diagnoses and etiology. Effective dates prior to November 16, 2012, for the assignment of 20 percent ratings for diabetic neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities affecting the sciatic nerve and femoral nerve are also being remanded.

The Veteran's residuals from a left wrist laceration and mononeuropathy of the left radial nerve are rated at 20 percent each, effective as of the date of decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy and radiculopathy, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,Issues related to the Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities will be addressed first as they could significantly impact other claims.

The Board denied service connection for heart disease and neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's in-service exposure to ionizing radiation. The disabilities were not diagnosed until many decades after service, and there is no indication of any manifestations during service sufficient to identify the disease entity.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims as they are related to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is being remanded due to the need for a new examination. The examiner must determine if there is at least a 50% probability that the condition had onset in, or is otherwise related to, active military service, including exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for the Veteran's cause of death due to metastatic colon carcinoma, but remanded for further development as a medical opinion is needed regarding whether his service-connected disabilities contributed substantially or materially to cause his death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from February 1, 2012, to July 25, 2013. The Board granted TDIU based on the combined effects of his prostate cancer and PTSD.

The Board has denied effective dates prior to June 19, 2014 for service connection of coronary artery disease and erectile dysfunction with SMC on account of loss of use of a creative organ. The claims are remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's left eye disability, finding that it did not manifest during or within one year of service and is unrelated to service.

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

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus Type II has been granted. The Board found new and material evidence to reopen the claim, as well as a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim based on presumed herbicide exposure in Thailand. Service connection is also granted for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to presumed herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremity sciatic nerve are denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's Crohn’s Disease, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are not service-connected.,Service connection for a heart disorder is also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for higher initial ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to a lack of examination addressing flare-ups and work impact.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 9, 2009 for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities are remanded due to lack of a VA examination opinion on etiology.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is remanded due to lack of a VA examination opinion on etiology.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to April 18, 2018 for the grant of TDIU is remanded due to lack of a VA examination opinion on etiology.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has identified multiple issues for remand due to the addition of new VA medical records not previously considered in the decision.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are denied as there is no competent evidence of a nexus between the claimed disabilities and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding medical records and a need for a VA examination to assess the combined effects of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.