Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the effective dates for service connection of peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and diabetes are not earlier than July 19, 2016. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to provide a VA examination.

Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is granted. Service connection for vision condition as a residual of shrapnel to the face and service connection for neuropathy of the feet are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for anemia, a residual of NHL is denied.,The Board finds that the Veteran’s myasthenia gravis and peripheral neuropathy are not service-connected.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle disability, including RSD, and for a left foot disability. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an opinion regarding whether the Veteran had early-onset peripheral neuropathy prior to his death, given his presumed exposure to herbicides during service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is denied as there is no evidence of its onset during service or within one year thereafter, and the medical evidence does not support a connection to service.,Service connection for eye disability, loss of use of a creative organ, and kidney disorder are denied due to lack of in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including myxoid liposarcoma of the right leg/groin and pelvis, chronic pain/chronic fatigue syndrome associated with it, fibromyalgia, lymphedema, premature menopause, loss of her right ovary, carpal tunnel syndrome, nerve damage to the right leg (lower extremity neuropathy), an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety and depression), insomnia, and temporomandibular joint disorder with dislocated jaw. The denial is based on a lack of evidence supporting the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for all claimed conditions, including diabetes mellitus and its secondary effects on other disabilities. The Veteran's claims were based on presumed exposure to herbicides during active duty service in Vietnam or Okinawa, Japan. However, the evidence did not support his claim of combat service in Vietnam, nor did it confirm his exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's death was caused by respiratory failure, but his service-connected disabilities contributed to his condition. The appeal is remanded for further development of the record.

The Veteran's claim for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant is remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a VA examination to assess his eligibility based on his service-connected bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records and the need for further examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent effective September 6, 2016. He also received special monthly compensation for housebound status since that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to inadequate development and examination reports. The VA is required to obtain additional records, schedule examinations, and provide adequate opinions.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied, but the claim for ischemic optic neuropathy of the right eye was granted.,New evidence submitted since the May 2008 denial did not meet the criteria to reopen the PTSD claim.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for inguinal hernia. The claims for back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, myeloma, peripheral neuropathy (left upper extremity), peripheral neuropathy (left lower extremity), radiculopathy (right lower extremity), and an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder) are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right ankle disabilities, as well as his sural nerve neuropathy of the lower extremities, are denied due to the amputation rule.,From September 20, 2010, but no earlier, the Veteran is granted a TDIU based on service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD or pain from his other disabilities caused or aggravated his heart disease, which was the cause of death.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for residuals of a spinal tap, cysts as secondary to residuals of a spinal tap, neuropathy of the lower extremities as secondary to residuals of a spinal tap, and low back disability as secondary to residuals of a spinal tap due to incomplete records from Moffett Field.

The Board has remanded the case due to an error in relying on a VA examiner's opinion and for obtaining updated medical records. The Veteran’s service connection claim for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is also being remanded for another medical opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claims for rheumatoid arthritis of the knees, heart disease, nephropathy (claimed as bilateral kidneys), and neuropathy of upper and lower extremities are remanded due to insufficient evidence.