Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service connection claims for low back disability, peripheral neuropathy, and PTSD have been denied. The Board found no evidence of a relationship between the disabilities and service or any presumptive exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, including verification of herbicide exposure and a VA examination.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension are granted as service-connected. The Board also grants the claims for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that they are secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II. Service connection is denied for bilateral optic neuropathy.

The Veteran's hypogonadism was granted service connection, while the issues of left ear disorder, genitourinary disorder, digestive and/or gastrointestinal disorder, and bilateral median nerve neuropathy were remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has dismissed the appeals on all issues related to service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's knee braces were issued for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, which is already service-connected. The decision is remanded to obtain relevant VA treatment records and determine the reason for issuing the knee braces.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is found to be service-connected. The Board has also remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD; and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities due to potential service connection issues.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to unresolved issues related to service connection. The hypertension claim is granted, while diabetes and peripheral neuropathy claims are pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection and rating issues. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction is currently rated at 20 percent, but his conditions have not worsened enough to warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for Raynaud’s phenomenon, bilateral upper extremity neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy due to a lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence, including a need for VA examinations and opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's conditions.

Service connection for PTSD, right upper extremity neuropathy, left upper extremity neuropathy, and jungle rot (skin rash and groin rash) is granted. Service connection for back condition, hypertension, headaches, and sleep disorder remains denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, as they are related to exposure to toxic chemicals while stationed at Fort Devens the U.S. Army from August 1970 to March 1973.

The Veteran's right lower extremity neuropathy, chronic cervical strain, and great toe condition have been remanded for further examination. The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae with residual facial scarring has also been remanded for a new VA examination to determine the severity of his service-connected disability.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The Board found the Veteran had current hearing loss and lumbar disability, but remanded for further development to determine if these conditions were related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's pancreatic cancer is granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is denied.

The Board dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction was reopened, and he is now granted. The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is also granted as secondary to his diabetes mellitus. However, the Veteran's kidney disorder remains in dispute.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder secondary to his service-connected migraine headaches was granted. Service connection was denied for the remaining conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for left knee and right foot disabilities, but denied service connection for these conditions. The Veteran’s diabetes mellitus, Type II and peripheral neuropathy are being remanded due to a recent Court decision regarding presumptive service connection for Vietnam-era veterans.