Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability secondary to the Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy, finding that the Veteran's fall and resulting injury were caused by his pre-existing nerve condition.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity and left upper extremity, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right upper extremities as there was no direct evidence linking these conditions to military service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a disability manifested by malaise, heart disorder, diabetes mellitus, neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, and an acquired psychiatric disorder have all been denied.,Service connection has not been established for any of these conditions on a direct basis due to lack of evidence showing their onset during active duty service or being related to such service.

The Veteran's service connection for multiple sclerosis is granted, while his claims for hypertension and other conditions are denied. The lumbar spine disability remains at a 10% rating.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities is denied as there was no prior unadjudicated service-connection claim pending.

Effective dates of April 21, 2014 are granted for the grants of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II (DM2) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Effective dates prior to April 21, 2014 are denied for all other issues.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating than 50 percent, as they caused occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.,The Veteran’s peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity was rated at 20 percent, based on moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.

The Board has granted service connection for left lower extremity polyneuropathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected varicose veins.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is a residual of an in-service cold exposure injury, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for left ear hearing loss is dismissed.,Service connection for bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy and prostatic hypertrophy with urinary obstruction, lower urinary tract disorder with elevated PSA, and erectile dysfunction secondary to prostate cancer are denied.,These claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left upper, right upper, left lower, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to inadequate medical evidence.

The Veteran's service did not qualify for death pension benefits as he did not serve during a period of war, and the Board denied his claim.

The Veteran's initial claim for service connection for Parkinson's disease was granted, and he has been assigned various disability ratings for his related conditions. The current appeal pertains to the rating of his right upper extremity disability.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral feet, both presumed to be related to herbicide exposure during service. The Veteran's hearing loss disability is not rated as compensable.

The Veteran's uremic neuropathy in both upper and lower extremities has been granted initial ratings of 40%, 50%, 30%, and 30% respectively, with the highest rating applied to his right upper extremity.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for melanoma, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (including restless leg syndrome), and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (including restless leg syndrome).,The Board also denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to exposure in burn pits and Agent Orange. The issues of heart condition, diabetes mellitus, type II, and peripheral neuropathy are being reviewed.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of left hand, specifically the 3rd and 4th fingers, is rated at a 30 percent disability level. This decision grants an initial rating higher than what was previously assigned.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The AOJ must attempt to corroborate the Veteran's exposure to napalm, white phosphorus, and other chemical agents.