Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including obesity and secondary disabilities like depression, migraine headaches, diabetes mellitus, type II, and others, are not granted as the evidence does not support a finding of entitlement to these claims.

All service connection claims have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,Obstructive sleep apnea was not found to be related to service-connected asthma, and thus denial of service connection.,Erectile dysfunction was not diagnosed by the VA examiner, and therefore denial of service connection.,Neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities was not diagnosed, and thus denial of service connection.,Left hip disability was not diagnosed, and thus denial of service connection.

The Board denied entitlement to higher evaluations for postoperative residuals of left ankle fracture, peripheral neuropathy of the left lateral foot and ankle, and postoperative scars of the left ankle on an extraschedular basis as the symptoms are adequately contemplated by the applicable diagnostic criteria.

The Veteran's depression is granted as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. Service connection for a low back disability and peripheral neuropathy involving the left lower extremity are denied.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 20 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right feet, finding that symptoms are equivalent to moderate incomplete paralysis.

The appeal seeking service connection for a left shoulder disability is dismissed.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied.,The Veteran's bilateral knee degenerative joint disease, diabetes mellitus, left lower extremity neuropathy, and right lower extremity neuropathy are remanded for further development.

An initial 50 percent disability rating for PTSD is granted effective December 22, 2011. The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations due to new evidence being added to the record.

The Board has denied service connection for back and neck disabilities, as well as IHD, squamous cell carcinoma, MSA, and autonomic neuropathy due to herbicide exposure. The claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining updated medical records and requesting a supplemental opinion from a neurologist to determine if the Veteran's bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is caused or aggravated by his service-connected low back and lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to higher ratings for PTSD, peripheral neuropathy, and bladder disability due to their worsening since the last examinations. The Veteran is also seeking earlier effective dates for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The TDIU claim was granted.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD, peripheral neuropathy, tinnitus, hearing loss, and diabetes. The appeal is being returned to the AOJ for review of additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, glaucoma, erectile dysfunction, and neuropathy of the bilateral legs as they are inextricably intertwined with the claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus. The AOJ is instructed to obtain all outstanding STRs, verify the Veteran's claimed herbicide exposure, and readjudicate the claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to March 26, 2014, for service-connected residuals of a cervical spine fracture and for a disability rating for neurological abnormalities associated with the cervical spine disability. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, both found to be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ is also granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar strain, left leg shin splints, right leg shin splints, and right upper extremity distal cutaneous median nerve peripheral neuropathy (right thumb neuropathy) have been denied. The Board found that the current disability ratings adequately reflect the severity of his conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of bilateral diabetic peripheral neuropathy affecting the sciatic nerve is service-connected as a direct result of his pre-existing diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, increased urinary frequency, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The earlier effective date for the grant of an increased evaluation for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is also being remanded.