Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2019

The Veteran withdrew all claims currently on appeal, including those related to coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, diabetic nephropathy with hypertension, and peripheral vascular diseases of the lower extremities. The appeals were dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, while the propriety of reducing VA disability compensation benefits is also being remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus, Type II (DMII) is granted due to exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand. The claims for residuals of bladder cancer and myelodysplastic syndrome are remanded as the Veteran has not yet been provided VA examinations regarding these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II (DMII) secondary to herbicide exposure is granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, as secondary to his service-connected DMII, is also granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a vision condition, as secondary to his service-connected DMII, is denied. The Board finds no evidence linking the Veteran's vision condition to his service-connected DMII.

The Board denied service connection for a right leg disability and denied increased ratings for various upper extremity disabilities due to the Amputation Rule, which limits combined ratings for disabilities of an extremity.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for diabetic retinopathy has been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings for service-connected diabetes mellitus have been dismissed.,Restoration of 20 percent rating from September 1, 2017 for service-connected sciatic nerve diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is granted.,Restoration of 20 percent rating from September 1, 2017 for service-connected sciatic nerve diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity is granted.,The Veteran's appeal for more than a 20 percent initial rating for service-connected femoral nerve diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is remanded.,The Veteran's appeal for more than a 20 percent initial rating for service-connected femoral nerve diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and he is now granted service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and major depressive disorder), a headache disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, diabetes mellitus, retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction. The Veteran's claims for other conditions are denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a recent court decision that expanded the definition of 'service in the Republic of Vietnam' and its impact on service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy. Further development is needed to determine if the Veteran's vessel was within 12 nautical miles of the shores of the Republic of Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been submitted, but without verification of his duty status on June 23, 1971. The Veteran is asked to provide information about any treatment he received after the incident and all periods of active duty.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology and presumptive exposure.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, prostate disorder, and stomach disorder. The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected nephropathy with hypertension and posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and effective dates have been denied. The Veteran is not entitled to an evaluation greater than 20 percent for cervical spondylosis, strain, levoscoliosis, and arthritis. Effective dates prior to January 16, 2015, are also denied for the grants of service connection for TBI, cervical spine disability, migraine headaches, and neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to service exposure, and the Board grants service connection.,The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is presumed due to his Vietnam-era service, and the Board grants service connection.,There is insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran has bilateral hearing loss or its etiology.,The claim for erectile dysfunction is remanded as it may be related to ischemic heart disease.,The Veteran's nervous tremors are remanded due to lack of clarity in the medical records and need for further examination.,The Veteran's neuropathy of the lower extremities is remanded for a determination on its etiology, including potential connection to service exposure.,The Veteran's memory loss is remanded as it needs clarification regarding its relationship to service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and prostate cancer are presumed to be due to herbicide exposure during service. Right lower extremity neuropathy, hypertension, esophageal cancer, and bilateral eye disability are not found to be related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to new evidence received since the last consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck disorder, low back disorder, and peripheral neuropathy due to Agent Orange exposure. The VA will obtain additional medical records and provide addendum opinions from a qualified examiner regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the submission of new and material evidence. The cases will be further evaluated by VA examiners.

The Board denied a higher disability rating for the service-connected left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are moderate and do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction as secondary to type 2 diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. The Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Vietnam is presumed.