Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection for early onset peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, to include as due to herbicide exposure, are granted. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss, and TDIU are remanded.

The appeal for restoration of service connection for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted. The appeal for entitlement to a kidney disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the increased rating of adjustment disorder was denied as there is no evidence of any communication in the claims file dated between April 2010 and June 2015 that indicated a desire to file a claim.,For the entire period of appeal, except for the period from November 1, 2016, to January 1, 2017, the Veteran's right eye disability is assigned a 30 percent rating, which is the maximum rating for visual impairment in one eye where there is not anatomical loss of the eye.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus II, diabetic neuropathy of both lower extremities, peripheral vascular disease of both lower extremities, hypertension, and gastroesophageal reflux disorder due to potential herbicide exposure during service. The Veteran's service treatment records show complaints related to GERD in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between his service-connected conditions and his sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathies due to herbicide exposure, and PTSD. Additional development is needed, including obtaining updated medical records, verifying Vietnam-era service, and conducting examinations by appropriate clinicians.

Service connection is granted for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and bilateral cubital tunnel syndrome.,Service connection is also granted for major depressive disorder, but not as PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted effective April 17, 2017. Service connection was established for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide agent exposure and secondary to diabetes mellitus, and anxiety disorder.,Anxiety disorder is also granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic kidney disease, migraine headaches, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes. Service connection for low back disability was denied. The Veteran's diabetes is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and right lower extremity neuropathy/radiculopathy due to conflicting evidence regarding the onset of symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, as well as secondary service connection for hemianopsia (residual of a stroke), were denied. The effective dates for these awards are not earlier than September 14, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities were denied.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities were denied.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is related to his in-service herbicide agent exposure, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his left hand disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and updated medical records.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition has been granted. The Board found that new evidence related to the unestablished fact necessary to substantiate this claim, which is the onset and etiology of the claimed condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral cataracts, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, are found to be sufficient to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability is granted.

The Veteran's strokes and cricopharyngeal muscle spasm with dysphagia are remanded for further examination to determine their etiology. The neuropathy of the face and extremities is also remanded, as it may be related to his service-connected CAD.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and review of his medical records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities due to a lack of compliance with previous remand directives, including the need for an examination by a neurologist.