Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Veteran's back disability and left common peroneal neuropathy are being remanded for further evaluation due to reported worsening of symptoms.

The Veteran is granted SMC based on the need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including weakness in both upper and lower extremities.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of polyneuropathy of the lower extremities and granted a TDIU based on his combined rating of 70 percent. The Board found that there was no competent medical evidence linking the current condition to service, including exposure to heavy metals or cold. The TDIU was granted as the Veteran's service-connected disabilities (right knee disability, perforated bowel residuals, acquired psychiatric disorder) meet the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension, vision loss due to herbicide exposure, and diabetes mellitus. The issues of peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are also remanded as they may be secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spine disorder, right knee disorder, headaches, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), bilateral upper and lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The issues remain on appeal.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete records and requests for additional private medical records.

Service connection is granted for ischemic heart disease, including coronary artery disease, as a result of presumed exposure to herbicides.,Service connection is granted for diabetes mellitus II as a result of presumed exposure to herbicides.,Service connection is granted for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus II.,Service connection is denied for peripheral vascular disease of the left lower extremity and right lower extremity.

The Board has decided that further development is needed to determine if the Veteran's service-connected conditions contributed to his death. The case will be sent back for additional medical opinions.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of left and right lower extremities. The claims for reopening service connection for respiratory disability, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral hearing loss were granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including renal dysfunction, peripheral vascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and various neuropathies, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has determined that the combined rating for these conditions is at least 90%, meeting the percentage requirements for TDIU. However, further examination is needed to assess the combined impact of all his service-connected disabilities on his occupational impairment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's request for separate ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and remanded the issue of service connection for a bilateral knee condition as secondary to service-connected frostbite.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, effective date determinations, and reductions of evaluations. The primary focus is on determining whether the Veteran's conditions are secondary to herbicide exposure or other service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence of current disabilities and lack of a nexus between his claimed conditions and service or any other condition.

The Board has not fully addressed the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to a lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives. The case is being returned for further examination and medical opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in the physical loss or permanent loss of use of one or both hands or feet, nor does he have ankylosis of his knees or hips. Therefore, he is ineligible for financial assistance in purchasing a vehicle and adaptive equipment.

The petition to reopen the claims for service connection for a low back condition, diabetes mellitus, type II as due to herbicide exposure, and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II is granted. The claim for service connection for a low back condition remains pending.

The Board has granted a 40% rating for the Veteran's left foot peripheral neuropathy and a 10% rating for his right foot peripheral neuropathy, both of which are residuals from cold injury. The ratings reflect the severity of symptoms including pain, numbness, and absent reflexes.

The Board cannot make a fully-informed decision on the issue of service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy because no VA examiner has provided an opinion regarding whether it is aggravated by his service-connected bilateral pes planus with secondary arthritis. The case is being remanded to obtain such an opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and a psychiatric disorder due to outstanding VA treatment records that need to be obtained.