Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU is remanded due to the submission of new VA examination reports and ongoing treatment records. The AOJ will review these documents and provide a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC).

The Board dismissed all appeals related to increased evaluations for bilateral upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy and diabetic retinopathy. The Veteran's claim for diabetes mellitus type II was granted with an effective date of January 16, 2014, but no earlier as the disability did not arise before that date. An effective date of November 15, 2005, but no earlier, was granted for diabetic retinopathy.

The Veteran's SMC claim for aid and attendance or housebound status is being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations. The Board requires new evaluations that consider the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to require regular aid and attendance.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy and PTSD, as well as his claim for TDIU. The remand requires obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling new examinations to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Board has granted a rating of 30 percent for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy and a rating of 40 percent for right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy as of January 15, 2014.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is linked to his presumed herbicide exposure from service at the Korean DMZ.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, but his claim may be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration due to his inability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus II, diabetic retinopathy, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are granted. The Board has remanded for further development on issues related to hearing loss, coronary artery disease, prostate cancer, and basal cell carcinoma.

The Board has granted the appellant's application to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a left hip disability, and peripheral neuropathy of both upper extremities. However, these claims are still pending as they have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, kidney stones, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction are remanded due to their inextricability with his petition to reopen a claim for service connection for Crohn’s disease.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for IHD was denied, but his claims for DM and PN were granted. The case is remanded for further examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's PN.,DM has been granted based on presumed exposure to herbicides during service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's alcohol dependence disorder and its relationship to his service-connected posttraumatic vascular headaches.

The Veteran's GERD is being remanded for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected condition.,The Veteran's chronic sinusitis is being remanded due to the need for a supplemental medical opinion considering in-service exposures and ongoing symptoms.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is being remanded as there may be an issue with verifying exposure to herbicide agents during service. The AOJ should verify whether the USS Coral Sea was within the 12-nautical-mile territorial sea of Vietnam while the Veteran was aboard.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is being remanded for a supplemental medical opinion considering his asserted in-service exposure to herbicide agents.,The Veteran's skin disability is being remanded for a supplemental medical opinion addressing whether it is related to bare-skin exposure to jet fuel during service.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and a mood disorder) is being remanded as there may be issues with verifying in-service stressors. The AOJ should attempt to corroborate the Veteran's reported stressors involving witnessing the death of a fellow serviceman aboard the USS Coral Sea during the '1967 cruise'.,The Veteran's sleep apnea, hypertension, hiatal hernia, and erectile dysfunction are being remanded as secondary to his claimed acquired psychiatric disorder. The AOJ should attempt to obtain VA treatment records from Portland VAMC for the period between 1970 and 2002.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for updated VA audiological examination records, which may provide evidence of a worsening disorder.,The Veteran's ear infection disability is being remanded as there may be issues with obtaining relevant private treatment records. The AOJ should attempt to obtain these records and complete any necessary requests.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus. Service connection is denied for an acquired eye disability, chronic sleep disability, high cholesterol, type II diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for peripheral neuropathy of his left and right lower and upper extremities, as secondary to herbicide exposure. The Veteran contends that his current conditions are related to his service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for eczematous dermatitis prurigo nodularis was denied as the evidence did not show systemic manifestations associated with the skin condition.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his 60 percent rating for eczematous dermatitis prurigo nodularis was denied because the increase in disability occurred more than one year prior to the date of claim.,Service connection for a depressive disorder was granted, and service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to the depressive disorder was also granted.,The claims to reopen service connection for cervical spine, low back, and right knee disabilities were denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,Hypertension, prostate cancer, anemia, and peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, left lower extremity, and right lower extremity were all denied as not incurred or aggravated by service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 20 percent, and his tinnitus is rated at the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent. The Veteran's CAD has been granted a 30 percent rating effective May 31, 2011, and a 60 percent rating effective April 4, 2012. His diabetes mellitus, type II, is rated at the maximum schedular rating of 20 percent for each affected extremity. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathies are all rated at the maximum schedular ratings. Effective dates have been granted for various conditions and disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected optic neuropathy needs to be re-evaluated due to conflicting findings from previous examinations. A new examination is required to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Board has not fully addressed the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hand disability, including his diagnosed conditions and potential secondary service connection. The case is being remanded to provide an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.