Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the VA examination provided in January 2014 is inadequate for decision-making purposes and requires a new examination to address whether the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities is as likely as not incurred in or caused by an in-service injury event or illness, or is proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of peripheral neuropathy of the upper or lower extremities, nor a right eye disability. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities were denied due to lack of evidence. The claim for increased rating for fibromyalgia was granted, but not in excess of 20 percent prior to April 10, 2017 and 40 percent thereafter. The claims for increased ratings for cold injury residuals with venous insufficiency were also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the appeal is dismissed. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the PTSD claim and denied all other claims.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected left elbow medial epicondylitis and ulnar neuropathy, as well as to determine if there is any functional loss due to flare-ups. The claims for increased evaluations will be remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals on all issues related to service connection and rating determinations. The claims for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathy of the lower extremities, extension of a temporary total rating, and tinea unguium have been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral upper extremity neuropathy, finding that there is no current diagnosis of this condition and thus cannot establish a link to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied service connection for lumbosacral strain with IVDS, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing a nexus between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sensory polyneuropathy/small fiber polyneuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities had its onset during service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's total disability rating based on individual unemployability claim is denied, and the obstructive sleep apnea service connection issue is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of retinopathy, as well as his claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, were dismissed. A rating of 70 percent was granted for PTSD from March 4, 2013.

Service connection is granted for diabetes mellitus, type II. The Veteran's bilateral upper and lower extremity diabetic neuropathy are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of discoid lupus erythematosus was granted, but the remaining issues on appeal are remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that the VA did not adequately verify the Veteran's exposure to herbicides while stationed at Takhli RTAFB, and thus remanded for further development.

The Board has dismissed the claims for CUE regarding peripheral neuropathy ratings and remanded other service connection issues. The Veteran's claim of increased rating for peripheral neuropathy is also remanded.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions are inadequate to address the Veteran's claim for service connection due to his exposure to Camp Lejeune contaminated water. The case is being remanded to obtain an addendum opinion from the September 2017 VA examiner regarding the relationship between the Veteran's vitamin B12 deficiency, which he asserts was caused by in-service TCE exposure at Camp Lejeune, and his peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to incomplete development, including a lack of VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the June 11, 2012 rating decisions denying service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities were not clearly and unmistakably erroneous. The issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen service connection for right and left upper and right and left lower peripheral neuropathy are being remanded.