Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was denied in May 2011. The Veteran appealed this decision, and the Board granted service connection with an effective date of March 6, 2014.

The Board has remanded the claim for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to unclear dates of active duty training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty training (INACDUTRA). The appellant's service connection claims for hearing loss and tinnitus remain denied.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for osteopenia, cervical spine disorder, hearing loss, tinnitus, hepatitis C, left upper extremity radiculopathy and peripheral neuropathy as secondary to lumbar spine disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy and peripheral neuropathy as secondary to lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy and peripheral neuropathy as secondary to lumbar spine disability, and right lower extremity radiculopathy and peripheral neuropathy as secondary to lumbar spine disability. The Board also remanded the issue of a rating for service-connected lumbar contusion, myositis, and lumbar spondylosis in excess of 20 percent prior to May 17, 2012 and in excess of 40 percent from May 17, 2012.

The Veteran's residuals of meningioma, thyroid cysts, right hand seizures, and neuropathy of the lower extremities are all service connected as direct service connection. The Board also granted secondary service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, effective September 5, 2006. The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of the left hand and right hand are both rated at 10 percent each. His demyelinating neuropathies of the lower extremities are both rated at 20 percent each. His chronic ischemic heart disease is currently rated at 30 percent, effective January 20, 2016.

The Veteran's service connection claims for peripheral neuropathy, a skin disability of the body and hands, tinea pedis (jungle rot), and PTSD have been reopened. The evidence received since the previous denial supports these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder and ulnar neuropathy disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his education and occupational experience.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the Board found that his depression did not stem from his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as a service-connected condition. The left knee and right hand conditions are not service-connected, but the neuropathy of both upper extremities is secondary to diabetes mellitus. PTSD with drug and alcohol abuse meets criteria for a 70% disability rating.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, dizziness, confusion/memory loss, headaches, hypertension, supraventricular tachycardia, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are being remanded for further review.,Specifically, the Board is seeking additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board has decided to remand two issues related to service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right feet due to a lack of private treatment records. The Veteran is required to provide these records, which could include information regarding his diagnosis and cause of his condition.

The Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder, which is considered permanent and total, granted him eligibility for dependents' educational assistance (DEA) effective April 5, 2004.

The Board has remanded several claims, including those for initial compensable ratings for bilateral dry eye disorder and tension headaches, service connection for various conditions, and a VA examination is required to address the etiology of hypertension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is service-connected, as it is considered to have been incurred during his military service.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for a vascular disability of her bilateral feet, including as secondary to Raynaud’s syndrome. The case will be remanded for an addendum opinion from an appropriate examiner.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) is related to his active duty service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various disabilities, including GI disability, bladder disability, erectile dysfunction (ED), peripheral neuropathy, and skin disability, all secondary to diabetes. The appeals are being returned to VA for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been REMANDED due to the need for additional development and examination. The issues of entitlement to service connection for peripheral neuropathy, low back disorder, right shoulder disorder, and left shoulder disorder are pending.

The Board denied service connection for neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, including as due to a service-connected low back disability.,The Board also denied service connection for neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, including as due to a service-connected low back disability.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of all extremities, an eye disorder, hemorrhoids, and a prostate disorder as secondary to herbicide exposure. The claims were remanded for further examination regarding cervical spine and lumbar spine disorders.