Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims for autoimmune disease, Graves' disease, and polyneuropathy due to lack of a VA examination. The Veteran's service records indicate exposure to herbicides while serving on the perimeter of Royal Thai Air Force Bases.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for service connection of peripheral neuropathy in the left upper extremity, finding that entitlement to this benefit did not arise until June 3, 2015.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus type II and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity due to insufficient evidence regarding exposure in Vietnam. The Veteran's service records do not show shore duty or leave in Vietnam, but further investigation is needed to determine if the USS Platte was within 12 nautical miles from the coast of Vietnam while the Veteran was on board.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that it is not secondary to his service-connected peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, type II, left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and coronary artery disease, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of August 13, 2016.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The case is remanded for a new VA examination to determine the appropriate disability rating for left forearm distal ulnar sensory neuropathy.

The Board has determined that additional development is required before the claims for service connection for early onset peripheral neuropathy and an acquired psychiatric disability (to include PTSD) can be decided.

The Board has remanded several claims for service connection due to the Veteran's military service, including injuries sustained while playing football. The appeals are pending based on the appellant's contention that these conditions are related to his service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of VA records from the Veteran's active duty period and subsequent treatment. The claims will be reviewed again with these additional records.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for coronary artery disease, a left leg disability (including neuropathy), and a respiratory disability due to potential exposure to hazardous environmental conditions during service. The Veteran's service in Vietnam is also under review.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination regarding whether the Veteran has lost use of either of his lower extremities.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's left knee and a VA medical opinion to determine if he was unemployable prior to July 24, 2015.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for CAD, hypertension, Crohn’s disease, and left femoral and saphenous nerve neuropathy have been denied. The effective date of service connection is February 1, 2013.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, atrial fibrillation, peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, and diabetes mellitus, Type II. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes due to herbicide agent exposure is granted, as well as his claims for secondary service connection for peripheral neuropathy in both upper and lower extremities. The effective date of these decisions is not specified.

The Veteran's DM with ED, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathies are all rated at 20 percent. The Veteran is seeking higher ratings for these conditions but the Board finds that a rating in excess of 20 percent is not warranted.

The Board has restored service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and his military service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, as they are related to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus. The case will be reviewed with a VA examination to determine if there is evidence of aggravation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder is denied as the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that his diagnosed conditions began during service or were related to in-service exposure to an herbicide agent.,The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 50% for PTSD is denied. The Board finds that the severity, frequency, and duration of the Veteran’s symptoms more closely approximate the level associated with a 50 percent rating.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than November 19, 2007, for service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is denied. The preponderance of evidence does not support finding that his condition was secondary to his service-connected diabetes.