Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for prostate adenocarcinoma and service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure are remanded due to the need for updated medical records and VA examinations.

The Board has denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and a rating in excess of 60 percent for coronary artery disease prior to November 11, 2013. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is remanded due to insufficient evidence on its etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes is found to have caused his bilateral lower extremity neuropathy. The effective date for the grant of service connection for CAD is granted as April 2, 2014.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for heart disability, hypertension, cervical spine/ neck disability, low back disability, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral arms and hands, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral legs, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, bilateral feet disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, thyroid disability, cerebrovascular accident (CVA), and acquired psychiatric disorder to include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), nervous disorder, anxiety, and depression.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The claims for diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are remanded due to lack of evidence regarding herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 19, 2008 for service connection of peripheral neuropathy of the left arm is denied. The case is remanded for additional development.

The Veteran is granted TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, and the claim for an extraschedular rating for visual impairment is denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, increased initial ratings for vocal cord condition and PTSD, and a need for updated medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions and lay statements regarding the onset of various conditions.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and related benefits are denied as the earliest date of service connection is February 24, 2011.,No earlier effective dates can be granted due to the liberalizing VA law that established presumptive exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, thus warranting a TDIU rating. The increased rating claim for the right tibia and fibula fracture is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and sleep apnea, are likely to render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were dismissed as he withdrew them. The claim of entitlement to a TDIU was granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for L4-L5 and L5-S1 degenerative disc disease with clinical left lumbar radiculopathy, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and major depression, to include insomnia. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for obtaining missing SSA medical records and VA treatment records.

The Board granted service connection for diabetes, CAD, bilateral lower extremity PVD and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities with an effective date of July 6, 2012.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for polyneuropathy and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure, as well as their relationship to diabetes mellitus. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to his active duty service or if they were aggravated by his service-connected diabetes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence, including lack of in-service complaints and treatment records. The Veteran will need to provide updated VA treatment records and undergo a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic immune system disorder, including connective tissue disorders such as pleurisy, pericarditis, myocarditis, neuropathy of the feet, lymphadenopathy, night sweats, joint pain, fatigue, malaise, intestinal pain, and diarrhea, is related to her service. The Board found that the evidence in favor of the claim outweighed the evidence against it.

The Board denied service connection for right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy as there is no current diagnosis of such conditions during the pendency of the claim.