Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2019

The Veteran's coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus type II are presumed to be service-connected due to herbicide-agent exposure during active duty.,The Veteran's hypertension, gallbladder residuals, neuropathy of the lower extremities, and kidney disability are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and new issues have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of prostate cancer (CAP), diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy (PN) of the right lower extremity, lung condition including sarcoidosis, eye disorders and diseases, hypertension, and dermopathy other than melanoma are granted on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicide agents in service.

The Board denied service connection for nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy and bladder cancer, as well as coronary artery disease (CAD), finding that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis for CAD. The claims for nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy and bladder cancer were also denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his right knee disability and TDIU have been remanded due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration records, conduct further examinations, and complete additional information.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and bilateral knee disorders due to the need for further development and readjudication.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for leg problems due to Agent Orange exposure is granted. The issue of service connection for a bilateral lower extremity nerve disorder, including peripheral neuropathy, to include as due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents, is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral lower extremity neuropathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus and service connection for diabetes mellitus, to include as due to herbicide exposure, have been dismissed.,The Veteran's petitions to reopen previously denied claims of entitlement to service connection for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's currently diagnosed peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, which is claimed as restless leg syndrome. The examiner must provide an opinion on whether the condition is related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including diabetes mellitus type II and its secondary conditions. The case is being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain and/or maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus type II, diabetic retinopathy, and bilateral upper/lower extremity polyneuropathy due to potential exposure to herbicide agents during service in Korea. The Veteran's presence along the DMZ is conceded, but he must demonstrate actual exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding a compensable evaluation for hypertension. The TDIU claim is denied, and the sleep apnea syndrome claim is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions to determine the current severity of his coronary artery disease, assess whether his peripheral neuropathy is related to his service-connected heart disease, and evaluate his left hand symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for various musculoskeletal conditions, including chronic lumbar spine strain, right lower extremity neuropathy associated with chronic lumbosacral strain, left lower extremity neuropathy associated with chronic lumbosacral strain, chronic right supraspinatus tendonitis and subacromial bursitis and strain (right shoulder), chronic right peroneal tendonitis (right ankle), and right ankle strain was granted. The Veteran is now receiving a 40% rating for the lumbar spine strain since June 4, 2018.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to potential herbicide exposure at Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base. The case will be sent back to the Joint Services Records Research Center (JSRRC) for verification of herbicide agent exposure and additional lay evidence from the Veteran is sought.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, prostate gland disability, and peripheral neuropathy due to potential service connection based on exposure to environmental toxins during active duty.