Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of a bilateral leg injury due to chemical burns, left leg neuropathy, and right leg neuropathy as there was no evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral polyneuropathy is being remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between his current condition and his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his diabetes and peripheral neuropathy due to service-connected diabetes. The diabetes is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, while the peripheral neuropathy of both upper extremities is each rated at 10 percent, and the peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities is also rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II has worsened and he should be provided an opportunity to report for a VA examination.,The Veteran’s hypertension preexisted service and the Board finds that an additional VA examination is warranted to determine if there was an increase in severity during his service, and if yes, whether the increase in severity was clearly and unmistakably not due to the natural progress of the disorder.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of his bilateral lower extremities are less likely as not related to his diabetes mellitus type II. An additional VA examination is warranted to determine the etiology of the Veteran’s peripheral neuropathy of his bilateral lower extremities.,At the April 2017 Travel Board hearing, the Veteran testified that he was unable to work due to his service-connected disabilities, including his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II. The claim for TDIU is remanded and will be inextricably intertwined with the claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for vertigo and tinnitus are remanded as new and material evidence has been received.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, diabetes, heart disorder, left leg tumor (prostate cancer), vision disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and sleep apnea were not incurred or aggravated during service. The Board found no evidence to support a direct relationship between these conditions and military service.,There is insufficient evidence to presume exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam or Korea.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral upper extremity neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are not service-connected. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an addendum opinion regarding whether OSA is caused or aggravated by the service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and remanded the issue of evaluating a low back strain.

The Veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected conditions, and the criteria for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 were not met.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder and a left knee disability, have been denied. The rating for diabetes mellitus remains unchanged.

The Board dismissed the appeal of the claim for service connection for fibromyalgia as the Veteran withdrew her appeal.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's prostate gland disability and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, as well as the lack of VA examiner opinions on whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for automobile and adaptive equipment, as well as specially adapted housing or special home adaptation are being remanded due to the need for more recent VA examinations to assess his current disability levels.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities was reopened and granted due to new evidence showing cold weather exposure in service.,Service connection is granted for anxiety disorder secondary to service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis.,Tinnitus is not service connected as there is no evidence of continuity of symptomatology or a nexus to service.

The Board denied service connection for Erectile Dysfunction (ED) and Peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity and right lower extremity due to lack of a medical nexus between these conditions and service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's current scalp scar and cranial nerve neuropathy were incurred in service, and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for neurogenic bladder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected idiopathic peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has remanded several issues including service connection for a sleep condition, mental health condition, and renal insufficiency with hypertension. The decision on tinnitus is pending as it should be referred to an extraschedular rating panel. TDIU due to service-connected disabilities remains in remand status.

Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, is granted as due to herbicide exposure.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy, IBS, and PCT are granted as secondary to service-connected conditions.,Service connection for myocardial chest pain and RUE disorder is denied.,Service connection for cold injury residuals is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and hepatitis B due to lack of evidence supporting a current disability. The case is being remanded for additional medical opinions.