Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities as due to herbicide agent exposure during active duty.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and lower extremity neuropathy disabilities are being remanded for further review due to the need for additional evidence or examination.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the claims of service connection for lower extremity neuropathy, upper extremity neuropathy, respiratory disability (asthma), obesity, and diabetes mellitus due to inconsistencies in medical opinions and lack of adequate rationale.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities was reopened due to new evidence. However, the claims were denied as there is no competent and credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, right lateral superior iliac crest, pes planus, and left lower extremity are all denied.

The Board denied service connection for right and left lower extremity disabilities, finding insufficient evidence to support the Veteran's claims of in-service incurrence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations and medical opinions to determine the nature, etiology, and severity of his claimed conditions. The issues include service connection for onychomycosis, skin disability of the back (presumed exposure), hypertension (secondary to diabetes mellitus Type II), and peripheral neuropathy of various extremities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus as due to herbicide exposure is granted, along with secondary service connection for bilateral cataracts and bilateral peripheral neuropathy in the lower extremities. Service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy in the upper extremities is denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for reopening of service connection for hypertension and PTSD, as well as remanded several other issues including sleep apnea, kidney disorder, neurological disabilities, peripheral neuropathies, and radiculopathies. Service connection is denied for liver disorder, heart disorder, right upper extremity neurological disability, left upper extremity neurological disability, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy in the lower extremities is granted as directly related to his service, specifically exposure to herbicide agents during his time in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The appeal seeking an earlier effective date for the grant of right knee disability is dismissed as moot due to the revision of the September 1983 rating decision on CUE. Service connection for various conditions including cervical spine, bilateral hip disorder, left leg condition, and psychiatric disorders are remanded.

This decision denies an increased rating for OSA and grants a TDIU. The Board finds the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine, bilateral lower extremity (BLE) radiculopathy, OSA, PTSD, LLE peripheral neuropathy, RLE peripheral neuropathy, and hypertension do not warrant staged ratings as his symptoms have not resulted in chronic respiratory failure with carbon dioxide retention or cor pulmonale, or the presence of a tracheostomy. The Board also finds that the Veteran is unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities.,PTSD has been rated 50 percent disabling since September 16, 2008, and 70 percent disabling since October 24, 2011. Lumbar spine disability was rated 10 percent disabling as of April 20, 2004; LLE peripheral neuropathy was rated 20 percent disabling as of March 20, 2012; RLE peripheral neuropathy was rated 20 percent disabling as of March 20, 2012; and hypertension was rated non-compensable as of September 8, 2005. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.,PTSD has been rated 50 percent disabling since September 16, 2008, and 70 percent disabling since October 24, 2011. Lumbar spine disability was rated 10 percent disabling as of April 20, 2004; LLE peripheral neuropathy was rated 20 percent disabling as of March 20, 2012; RLE peripheral neuropathy was rated 20 percent disabling as of March 20, 2012; and hypertension was rated non-compensable as of September 8, 2005. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus type II is granted. The claims for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and diabetic peripheral neuropathy on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure. However, the claims for obstructive sleep apnea are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the issue of service connection for a kidney disorder is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities on a direct basis, finding that the Veteran's reported history of cold injury during service is credible and supported by medical opinions.

The Board has remanded several issues including service connection and rating for various conditions, as well as a hearing loss evaluation. The effective date for tinnitus remains November 3, 2014.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy as secondary to the Veteran's psychiatric disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to her military service or psychiatric medications.

The Board has dismissed all issues of service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral upper extremity neuropathy was granted effective November 17, 2012. The condition was diagnosed and linked to his service in October 2011.