Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral peripheral neuropathy in his lower extremities is related to his military service, specifically his exposure to herbicides while in Vietnam. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are related to his exposure to Agent Orange during service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted on September 9, 2011 when he had a combined disability rating of 80%. The Board denied an earlier effective date as the claim is based on established service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are considered, but the need for aid and attendance or housebound status is unclear due to lack of recent medical evidence. The case is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease and peripheral neuropathy as there was no evidence of herbicide exposure during service, and the Veteran's conditions are not otherwise related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete records and inadequate opinions regarding the Veteran's service connection claims for erectile dysfunction and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, including as secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for diabetic nephropathy prior to May 17, 2016 was denied.,The Veteran's rating in excess of 30 percent for diabetic nephropathy since May 17, 2016 was also denied.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims for frostbite and peripheral neuropathy of the Veteran's upper and lower extremities due to his death.

The Board denied reopening of the claim for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder as secondary to a service-connected disability. The Veteran's claims were not supported by new and material evidence, and there was no established link between the current conditions and service.

Service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral lower extremity diabetic neuropathy (claimed as neuropathy), prostate disability, obstructive sleep apnea, spine disorder, bilateral foot disorder, left upper extremity disorder, right upper extremity disorder, and bilateral lower extremity disorder (other than neuropathy) is denied.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred in service.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the etiology of the condition. The Veteran's VA treatment records show he was treated by a VA neurologist who stated that his peripheral neuropathy had an early onset with an unknown etiology, likely related to Agent Orange exposure. A new VA examination is needed to reconcile these findings.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal regarding increased evaluations for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right upper extremities before a decision was made.

The Veteran's increased ratings for type 2 diabetes and PTSD are denied. The issues of service connection for diabetic neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy, sleep apnea, and ischemic heart disease are remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and left hand and elbow numbness secondary to ulnar neuropathy. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's manual wheelchair was issued for temporary use after his right foot surgery in 2011 due to service-connected conditions. However, there is no evidence that he used it as a result of his service-connected disabilities in 2014. Therefore, the claim for a clothing allowance for the 2014 calendar year for the manual wheelchair is denied.

The Veteran's annual VA clothing allowance for the year 2014 due to use of a motorized wheelchair (a Permobil Power Wheelchair) is being remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine if his wheelchair tends to wear or tear his clothing.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions including glaucoma, respiratory disorder, cardiovascular disorder, anal abscess, skin cancer, and peripheral neuropathy have been denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease, exposure to herbicide agents, or a current disability.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to inadequate VA examination reports.,The Veteran's heart condition, including PVCs, is being remanded as the VA examination report did not address his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate is granted since February 28, 2017 due to having a single service-connected disability rated as 100 percent and additional disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent or more.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal, leaving no issues for the Board to review.