Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including sleep apnea and diabetes mellitus, are denied. The Board has found the Veteran's claims for lumbar DDD, cervical DDD, BUE peripheral neuropathy, BLE peripheral neuropathy, a skin condition, and an acquired psychiatric disorder to be inextricably intertwined with his exposure to toxic exposures at Fort McClellan and thus remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.,The Veteran is seeking higher ratings for his cervical spine and right upper extremity conditions, as well as service connection for various other disabilities.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim is granted, and he is now entitled to a higher evaluation for his degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine. The right knee disability remains at its current level, but the scar status post lower back surgery receives an increased rating. His bladder disability and peripheral neuropathy are also evaluated based on their respective conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been granted. The decision also remanded several issues, including the rating of lumbar strain and diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for further development, including new VA examinations.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicides. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, left hand arthritis, right hand arthritis, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder are denied as not related to service or a service-connected condition. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for onychomycosis was denied. The Board found that the pre-August 2018 version of the regulation is more favorable to the Veteran, and thus reviewed the claim under the prior version of the regulation. The Board concluded that neither version of the regulation is more favorable to the Veteran's claim, and therefore denied the claim for a compensable rating for onychomycosis.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is presumed to be related to his exposure to herbicide agents while stationed at the Ubon RTAFB. The Board finds that he was likely exposed to herbicides during service and grants service connection for this condition on a presumptive basis. However, further development is needed to determine if the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is secondary to his diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for an independent medical examination to determine if he has additional disability in the right lower extremity caused by a December 1990 low back surgery, and whether this additional disability was proximately due to VA care or other medical conditions.

The Veteran's claims for heart disability, urinary condition, and dizziness (upper extremity peripheral neuropathy) have been denied. The claim for dizziness (lower extremity peripheral neuropathy) is being remanded.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to determine if the appellant's service-connected disabilities necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance or render him housebound, as he claims.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, sleep apnea, and a psychiatric disorder as these conditions were not shown to be causally related to military service.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left and right upper extremities, as well as his lower extremities (sciatic nerve), have been granted increased ratings. Separate ratings for the femoral nerve are also granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for respiratory, diabetes, and peripheral neuropathy disabilities due to herbicide agent exposure. The claims are being reviewed on a facts found basis as the Veteran was exposed near the perimeter of Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base during his active duty.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD has been reopened, and he was granted service connection for tinnitus. The claims for bilateral SNHL, sleep apnea, upper extremity peripheral neuropathy (likely due to frostbite), and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are denied.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for DMII, HTN, and neuropathy is granted. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the requirements to be presumed exposed to herbicide agents in Korea, but his current diagnoses are supported by medical evidence.

The Veteran's head trauma to include TBI is granted as service-connected.,There is no current diagnosis of residuals from a fall to include left rib injury, and the claim for this issue is denied.,Service connection for radiculopathy/neuropathy of the arms is denied.,Service connection for radiculopathy/neuropathy of the legs is denied.,Service connection for back injury is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings in multiple conditions have been dismissed as he has withdrawn all his pending appeals.

The Board denied service connection for inclusion body myositis, finding that the evidence did not support a link to in-service exposure to extreme cold and its manifestations of peripheral neuropathy and burning sensations/numbness.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is related to service-connected ischemic heart disease.