Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus. Service connection was also denied for peripheral neuropathy as the Veteran did not meet the criteria for early-onset peripheral neuropathy under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are granted. The claim for a disability of the pancreas is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions including diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, hypertension, stroke, depression, peripheral neuropathy of the lower and upper extremities, arthritis, grand mal seizures, erectile dysfunction, kidney disorder, and lung disorder due to exposure to herbicides and asbestos. The appellant is required to submit new and material evidence to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations of his bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and diabetic neuropathy are being remanded due to the submission of new and material evidence. Additionally, a VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of his lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted as he met the schedular requirements for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, specifically CAD post CABG, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cold injury residuals of the upper and lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence of a diagnosed condition related to in-service exposure to cold weather.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right ankle, overactive bladder, and initial compensable rating for right forearm tendonitis have been dismissed.,Service connection has been granted for right ulnar sensory axonal neuropathy above the elbow (Thoracic outlet syndrome) and right shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The decision also remanded several issues, including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, kidney stones, earlier effective dates, and TDIU.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for diabetes mellitus and TDIU claim were both granted. The Veteran is now rated at 40% for diabetes mellitus, which includes a non-compensable rating for erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen the previously denied claims. The Board found that there was no indication of arthritis or a nexus between the claimed conditions and service.

Service connection for a low back disability is granted.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, variously diagnosed as adjustment disorder with mixed emotional features, depression, and PTSD is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that exposure to herbicides during service is presumed. Service connection was also granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, with symptoms including flattened affect, difficulty understanding complex commands, and impaired judgment. The effective date for this rating remains pending as the decision was made in August 2016.

The Veteran's diabetes and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy are granted service connection. The issues of upper extremity neuropathy and compensation for a MRSA infection following a biopsy are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is service-connected, but his obesity and other conditions are not.,Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) may be related to the Veteran's service, but further examination is needed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to August 10, 2017.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further evaluation due to insufficient opinions regarding the severity of the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy and its relationship to his service-connected diabetes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities are granted, subject to the laws and regulations controlling the award of monetary benefits. The claim for service connection for dementia is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since July 14, 2014. The Board has granted a TDIU effective that date.

The claim for a heart condition has not been reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.,The claims for right and left ankle disabilities have been reopened based on the submission of new evidence, but service connection is denied as there is no direct or secondary evidence linking these conditions to service.,Diabetes mellitus was not incurred in service and is not related to any other condition. Service connection is denied.,Bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities has not been shown to be related to service, nor is it linked to a pre-existing condition. Service connection is denied.,Diabetic retinopathy was not documented during service or within one year after separation and is not considered secondary to any other condition. Service connection is denied.,A kidney condition was not diagnosed in service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking it to service. Service connection is denied.,Vertigo has not been shown to be related to service. Service connection is denied.,Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was not documented during service and is not considered secondary to any other condition. Service connection is denied.,Gout was not diagnosed in service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking it to service. Service connection is denied.,A lung disability manifested by spots in the lung has not been shown to be related to service. Service connection is denied.,Neurological condition manifested by tremors has not been shown to be related to service. Service connection is denied.,Sleep apnea was not shown to be related to service or any other condition. Service connection is denied.,Left shoulder disability was not diagnosed in service and is not considered secondary to any other condition. Service connection is denied.,Hypertension did not have its onset during service, nor is it linked to a pre-existing condition. Service connection is denied.,Erectile dysfunction was not shown to be related to service or any other condition. Service connection is denied.,Left hip disability and right ear condition (manifested by swelling and drainage) were not diagnosed in service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking them to service. Service connection is denied.