Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for new VA examinations and the identification of outstanding private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for arthritis, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has denied service connection for erectile dysfunction and remanded the issues of service connection for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, as well as an initial rating for low back disability in excess of 10 percent prior to November 1, 2016, and in excess of 20 percent on and after November 1, 2016.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus type II, diabetic retinopathy, voiding dysfunction secondary to diabetes mellitus, sleep problems secondary to diabetes mellitus, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. A new VA examination is needed to assess the nature, extent, and severity of his diabetes and all diabetic complications.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to gather financial information and properly address the overpayment issue of VA pension benefits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for peripheral neuropathy and a psychiatric disability, finding no evidence to support these claims based on lack of in-service diagnosis or current disability.

The claims of service connection for depression/adjustment disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, pes planus, diabetes, and back disorder have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The Board finds that these conditions are not related to active duty service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims seeking service connection for diabetic enteropathy, prostate cancer, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), as well as his initial increased rating for ischemic heart disease. The Board also dismissed his petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a skin condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination regarding toe abnormalities and their relationship to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is rated at 20 percent and his diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities are each rated at 10 percent. The Board denied all claims for higher ratings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to lack of evidence linking the claimed conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claims of service connection for erectile dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, type II, and bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are remanded due to conflicting service records regarding the Veteran's duty station in Korea.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the right lower, right upper, and left upper extremities was granted effective October 12, 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and its associated peripheral neuropathy of the lower and upper extremities, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran's urinary disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected left testicle removal. The effective date for this grant is July 14, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tachycardia is denied as a matter of law. The Board has also remanded the issue of entitlement to TDIU due to his combined service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development and consideration, including obtaining VA treatment records from 1997 to 2000 and any additional private records.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is characterized by treatment requiring insulin and regulation of activities. However, the evidence does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 40 percent due to lack of complications that would not be compensable if separately evaluated.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities was denied. The Veteran is granted a TDIU effective April 17, 2012, and his claims for increased ratings for IVDS, right knee medial meniscal tear with osteoarthritis, and prior to April 17, 2012 are remanded.

The Board has remanded the diabetes, TDIU, and SMC appeals due to incomplete service records and lack of private medical records. The Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service is also under review.