Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2019

The Board cannot make a fully-informed decision on the issue of service connection for neuropathy of the right and left lower legs and feet because no VA examiner has opined whether it is at least as likely as not related to the Veteran’s exposure to contaminants while serving at Camp Lejeune. The issues are being remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depressive disorders, is related to his service in Vietnam. The Board finds that the probative evidence of record is at least in equipoise on the factors of service incurrence and nexus, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has restored benefits for service-connected diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding no clear and unmistakable error in previous determinations.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to issues with the effective date of his increased PTSD rating, service connection for various conditions, and other disability ratings. The RO will need to correct these errors and provide a statement of the case on the earlier effective date issue.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development and examination to determine if his current disabilities are related to service, including any in-service injuries or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including type II diabetes mellitus and psychiatric disorders, were denied as the evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and his military service or exposure to environmental toxins at Fort McClellan, Alabama.

The Veteran's nerve damage, bilateral hearing loss, and TDIU claims were all denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current disability related to service or Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy of the femoral nerve and sciatic nerve, effectively dismissing these issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to February 11, 2013, for service connection of peroneal neuropathy and residuals of right tibia and fibula fracture have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation of 30 percent for residuals of right tibia and fibula fracture has been granted.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is granted as service connected.,The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity neuropathy (left and right) are granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's bilateral upper extremity neuropathy (left and right) are granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is rated at 60 percent, effective April 26, 2019.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus remains at a 20 percent rating. The Board did not find evidence of regulation of activities required for an increase to 40 percent.,Diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity is rated at 40 percent.,Diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is rated at 40 percent.,Diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity is rated at 10 percent.,Diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity is rated at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an adequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy and addressing his lay statements about symptom onset during service. The case will also be returned to the AOJ for readjudication.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, finding that the Veteran's military duties placed him near the perimeter of U-Tapao AFB in Thailand, which is presumed to have exposed him to herbicide agents. The decision also found that his current conditions are secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbosacral degenerative disc disease with spondylosis and left lower extremity neuropathy, as well as his claim for a total disability evaluation due to individual unemployability. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to assess the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has not yet decided whether these conditions are related to his military service. The appeals for back and neck disabilities remain pending as they need further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, but denied service connection for PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for upper left and right extremity peripheral neuropathy as there is no current diagnosis of such conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and hypertension as the result of exposure to Agent Orange are granted. The claim for peripheral neuropathy is remanded due to lack of evidence.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus, type II, are granted service connection based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his active military service. The loss of vision, erectile dysfunction, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy claims are remanded for further examination.