Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and PTSD. The decision also noted that new evidence did not address the critical defect of a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including metastatic bilateral lung cancer and brain tumor with focal motor and focal sensory seizure disorder, have rendered him unable to work. Effective June 5, 2015, his service-connected status-post radical prostatectomy is rated at 100 percent due to renal dysfunction.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including coronary arteriosclerosis, hypertension, depression, headaches, peripheral vascular disease, and neuropathy. The VA will obtain relevant Social Security Administration records and arrange for a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's coronary arteriosclerosis.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, bilateral hearing loss, ischemic heart condition, bilateral lung condition (secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II), and bilateral kidney condition (secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, right radial traumatic neuropathy, degenerative changes to thoracolumbar spine (lumbar spine disability), bilateral hearing loss, TBI residuals, and headaches have all been denied. The Board found that there was no current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy in either leg or any other service-connected condition related to the issues.

The Board has remanded the cases due to failure to obtain all relevant prison medical records. The Veteran's service connection claims for right and left lower extremity neuropathy are now pending.

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. Service connection for Peyronie’s disease, diabetes mellitus type II, and peripheral neuropathy of the extremities are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a liver condition, diabetes mellitus, right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and impotency has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for a left hip disorder, right foot drop, left foot disorder, sleep disorder, vision impairment, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and lower right extremity numbness. The TDIU claim is also deferred as it is inextricably intertwined with these issues.

This decision dismisses all claims for service connection. The Veteran's bowel disorder, prostate cancer, and diabetes mellitus, type II have been granted in full by a March 2018 rating decision.,The claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain with anterolisthesis and degenerative disc disease is denied as the evidence does not show that the Veteran's disability warrants a higher than 30 percent rating at any point during the relevant period.,The claim for a 20 percent rating for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is granted from September 24, 2012 to July 18, 2015.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both the right and left lower extremities, finding that it is not related to a service-connected disability.

Service connection is denied for tinnitus, heart condition (including ischemic heart disease and WPW syndrome), peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and neck condition.,The Veteran's service treatment records are negative for evidence of a heart or neck condition. There was no objective medical evidence of peripheral neuropathy within one year after separation from service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for postoperative residuals of a cerebral artery aneurysm, to include a cerebrovascular accident; bilateral eye disorders, to include photophobia; and peripheral neuropathy are remanded. The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss are also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, left ankle and foot disabilities, low back disability, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment since his retirement in July 2016. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted effective July 1, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for multiple myeloma was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,The claim of service connection for a respiratory condition (including asthma, COPD and sleep apnea) is denied because new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim.,The claim of service connection for peripheral neuropathy is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine its etiology.,The claim of service connection for hypertension is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine its etiology and consideration of herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of his upper and lower extremities, as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, which he claims is due to herbicide exposure during his military service, has been remanded. The VA needs to obtain medical records and conduct a VA examination to determine if there is a link between the Veteran's current condition and his military service.

Service connection is granted for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type II, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower and upper extremities due to exposure to herbicides.,Service connection is also granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to service-connected diabetes mellitus type II (DMII) have been granted.,Service connection for renal disease due to DMII has been denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal as his substantive appeal was not received within 60 days of the July 2013 Statement of the Case or within one year from the date of mailing of the notification of the determination being appealed.