Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, increased ratings for diabetes and diabetic neuropathy of the lower extremities, and a TDIU claim due to outstanding medical records and need for additional examinations.

The Board denied service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathy, and erectile dysfunction. The Veteran's claims were based on presumed exposure to herbicides in Thailand, but the evidence did not support his contention of such exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic balance instability, increased rating for hearing loss, and TDIU due to lack of evidence linking his current condition to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been reopened, and his claims for initial ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities have been granted. However, he is still denied an effective date prior to certain dates.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his claim for TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is granted as due to herbicide exposure during service. His peripheral neuropathy, bilateral upper extremities, is also granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's claims for left ear hearing loss and skin disorder were reopened due to new and material evidence. The rating reductions for lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, ocular hypertension, and low back disorder were denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has found that a higher rating may be warranted. The VA examinations for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and hearing loss are needed to determine their current severity. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and memory loss, including frontal lobe syndrome, due to outstanding VA and private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral upper extremity neuropathy is related to his service-connected diabetes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck disability, frostbite of the feet, frostbite of the hands, headaches, left upper extremity neuropathy, right upper extremity neuropathy, left lower extremity neuropathy, and right lower extremity neuropathy due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for right upper extremity neuropathy with weakness and numbness due to insufficient rationale provided in the March 2013 VA examination. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's representative raised the question of the collective effect of his service-connected disabilities in determining whether he is entitled to a TDIU. The case is being remanded for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's service connection claims for obstructed veins in the head, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities (RLE and LLE), and peripheral neuropathy of the median nerve and ulnar nerves of the bilateral upper extremities were denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities or a relationship to service.,The Veteran's TBI claim was granted with a 40% rating effective July 21, 2010.

The Board has restored a 20 percent rating for sensorimotor peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, effective September 1, 2017.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to his service-connected prostate cancer. His cardiovascular disorder and lung conditions are denied. The Board has ordered additional examinations for COPD, a lung disorder other than COPD (claimed as granuloma), malignant skin neoplasm (claimed as melanoma), essential tremor, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, as well as his claim for an initial, compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to March 29, 2016, have been dismissed. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, adjustment disorder with depression and anxiety) is remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity and back disability have been dismissed.,A 50 percent rating, but no higher, has been granted for Major Depressive Disorder from January 26, 2010 to July 1, 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer, type II diabetes mellitus, and neuropathy of the lower extremities, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU rating based on these conditions.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is granted as secondary to herbicide exposure. The heart disability and peripheral neuropathy claims are remanded for further development.