Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, sleep apnea, a toenail fungus, GERD with constipation, PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity (sciatic nerve), peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity (sciatic nerve), peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity (anterior crural nerve), and peripheral neuropathy of the right upper and left upper extremities. The Veteran's claims for service connection were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding service connection for hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and an increased evaluation for coronary artery disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spondylosis with myelopathy and intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) and right upper extremity radiculopathy and/or neuropathy due to inadequate medical opinions on direct service connection, as well as secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for peripheral vascular disease, right lower extremity is denied as the evidence does not show severe impairment attributable to this condition.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities as there is no current diagnosis of such conditions during the appeal period.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to address the Veteran's bilateral foot disabilities, specifically whether they are related to active service and if they were caused or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings for his neck condition, tension headaches, and peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity due to insufficient examination reports. The Veteran will need to undergo new VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for various conditions due to a lack of VA examination opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's sleep apnea syndrome and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are found to be due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The issue of entitlement to service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities is dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right upper extremities due to lack of current disability. The Veteran's TDIU claim was also denied as his disabilities did not render him unemployable.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and increased ratings higher than 20 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his knee disabilities do not warrant ratings in excess of the current assigned ratings.,The Veteran's tinnitus, left ear hearing loss, and right ear hearing loss are all rated at their maximum levels.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, dyslipidemia, low back disorder, DJD of the hips, knees, ankles, and feet, skeletal body pain, diabetes mellitus type II (DM II), diabetic neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and hypertension were all denied as they are not related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, chest scar from coronary artery bypass graft, diabetes mellitus, type II, end-stage renal failure, hypertension, and neuropathy have all been denied.,Service connection was not granted for the Veteran’s chest scar as secondary to his service-connected coronary artery disease.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding service connection for various conditions, including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, osteosarcoma, and peripheral neuropathy. The Board dismissed the appeal due to the withdrawal.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus with bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy was denied as the evidence did not support a finding that management of his diabetes required regulation of activities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral foot numbness, including diabetic peripheral neuropathy, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for gastrointestinal disabilities, prostate disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, heart condition, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, osteopenia, cervical spine disability, neurological impairment of the upper extremities, shoulder, hip, knee, ankle, and foot disabilities are being remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer is being remanded as his prostatitis may be related to his current prostate disability. Additional development is needed regarding whether he has any residual disability from the prostatitis shown in service.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain, chronic gastritis with GERD, and hemorrhoids are being remanded as his most recent examinations in August 2017 were inadequate. Additional development is needed to determine the current functional impairment resulting from these disabilities.,

The Board denied service connection for neuropathy in the left and right lower extremities as there was no evidence of a nexus to service or any other service-connected condition.