Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is presumed to have been incurred during service. The Board found the Veteran exposed to herbicides and granted service connection for this condition. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy and skin rash are remanded due to conflicting evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, as well as PTSD, are being remanded for further evaluation due to recent symptom reports indicating worsening of the conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, and bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities due to potential exposure to PCBs during service at Fort McClellan. The Veteran's claim will be reviewed again with an examination to determine if there is a link between her conditions and military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Type 2 diabetes is granted. The Board finds the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his active service and grants service connection based on this exposure. Service connection is also granted for erectile dysfunction and peripheral neuropathy of both feet, with the latter two issues remanded for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder impingement syndrome, a cervical spine condition diagnosed as osteoarthritis and C6-C7 broad-based disc bulge with moderate-severe right neuroforaminal narrowing (claimed as neuropathy), and chronic right chest wall pain, all secondary to the Veteran's service-connected residuals of fracture of right clavicle.,The Board found that there is a reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran for each condition granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes, and hearing loss, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from October 15, 2012 to December 15, 2017.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity as secondary to service-connected Type II diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to a lack of VA treatment records and missing evidence regarding herbicide exposure. The case will be reviewed again after obtaining these records and verifying the Veteran's allegations.

The Board has remanded all issues due to incomplete VA treatment records and the need for new examinations. The Veteran's PTSD, depressive disorder, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and malaria are among the conditions being reviewed.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted due to his service-connected disabilities, specifically PTSD and left knee disability. The right knee disability, spinal stenosis, and migraine headaches are not addressed in this decision.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between the condition and in-service herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to pending development for other service connection issues. The Veteran's mental health disability is also relevant and needs to be reviewed.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, Type II, neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, and a pulmonary disability. The issues regarding service connection for these conditions are remanded due to insufficient evidence on exposure and potential secondary relationships.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that the evidence did not support a link to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical degenerative disc disease, cervical radiculitis with right ulnar neuropathy, and pes planus (fallen arches). The issues have been remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has denied service connection for GERD, but has remanded the issues of service connection for a respiratory condition and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine disability and right ankle disability, but allowed reopening of the claim for right ankle disability.,Service connection was not granted for right hip, leg/shin disabilities, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, or variously diagnosed psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and sciatic nerve peripheral neuropathy were denied increased ratings. The diabetes was rated at 40 percent prior to April 27, 2015, and 20 percent thereafter. The left and right lower extremity sciatic nerve peripheral neuropathy were both rated at 10 percent.

The Board has decided that a remand is necessary to determine if the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for various conditions related to his diabetes and coronary artery disease was partially granted, with some issues receiving a separate rating.