Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's service connection claims for further development due to alleged herbicide exposure in Thailand. The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions, including diabetes and peripheral neuropathy, all claimed as secondary to herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, Type 2 and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities have been granted. Service connection is established for these conditions due to herbicide agent exposure during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for further medical examination and verification of his claimed Vietnam service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral neuropathy is granted as the condition is presumed to have been caused by herbicide exposure during his Vietnam service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of cold injury and neuropathy to both hands and feet has been reopened. The case is now remanded for further development, including obtaining service treatment records and a VA examination.

Service connection has been granted for coronary artery disease, diabetes, erectile dysfunction, bilateral upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Service connection was denied for a skin disorder.,The Veteran's service connection claims were reopened due to new evidence submitted since the November 2009 rating decision.

The Board has denied service connection for a heart disorder and neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to service or any presumptive exposure. The Veteran's claims were not granted as secondary to his heart disorder.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to her service-connected conditions, including PTSD, cervical spine disability, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and TBI. The Board has determined that these issues are not fully addressed due to the need for additional evidence or clarification.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient discussion of a potential service connection for peripheral neuropathy related to exposure to Agent Orange. The Veteran's claim will be reviewed with an additional examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left foot Charcot joint and peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to a reduction in disability rating for headaches.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, to include as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus due to the Veteran's failure to report for VA examinations. The matter will be returned for further review.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The Board denied the TDIU claim due to the nonservice-connected back disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lower back pain and bilateral foot conditions, have rendered him unemployable from August 12, 2016 to May 1, 2017. The Board granted a TDIU rating during this period.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to service connection and disability ratings for various conditions. The Board has determined that further development is necessary in order to make a determination on these claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus type I, eye disorder (retinitis or eye condition), cellulitis of the bilateral lower extremities, neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, and neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities due to their potential connection to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board dismissed the appeals of the reduction in disability ratings for left upper extremity neuropathy, right upper extremity neuropathy, and left lower extremity neuropathy as there was no timely substantive appeal or communication alleging specific errors of fact or law.

The Board has remanded the claim for a retrospective opinion regarding the impact of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to May 24, 2013. The claim is also remanded due to outstanding VA Vocational Rehabilitation records that have not been considered.

The appeals for service connection for back disability, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are dismissed. The appeals for service connection for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy are remanded.

Service connection is granted for diabetes mellitus type II (diabetes), lung cancer, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities.,Service connection is granted for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, right lower extremity, left upper extremity, and right upper extremity as secondary to diabetes. Service connection is also granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as loss of train of thought).,Service connection is remanded for service connection for a disability manifested by poor circulation of the bilateral lower extremities other than peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded due to inadequacies in the November 2013 VA examination report. The Board finds a new VA examination is necessary as it is unclear whether there was acoustic trauma or hazardous noise exposure during service.,The Veteran's claims for left and right lower extremity neuropathy are remanded due to inadequate consideration of his Agent Orange exposure claim. A VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of his neuropathy, including its relationship to service and herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's initial ratings for PTSD and depressive disorder are remanded as there may be additional relevant medical records that have not been obtained yet. The Board also notes that a TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with the other claims.,The Veteran's entitlement to a TDIU is remanded due to the need for further development of his disability picture, including obtaining VA treatment records from November 2017 onwards.