Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2019

The Board dismissed all appeals for increased evaluations and the reopening of claims for service connection. The Veteran was granted a TDIU effective October 6, 2010.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II due to a lack of exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Board found that there was no evidence of herbicide exposure in Thailand or Vietnam.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for hepatitis A, B and C, right Achilles tendinopathy, migraines (secondary to peripheral neuropathy of the face), cerebrovascular accident (claimed as stroke), hypertension, and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy. The remand also includes a request for VA examinations to determine if the Veteran has current diagnoses of hepatitis A, B or C and whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened and granted. The claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper and lower extremities, as well as her right hand and right hip disabilities. The issues have been remanded due to outstanding medical records.

The Board denied service connection for ataxic spastic gait, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities as there was no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service or his in-service herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including left shoulder disorder, bilateral knee disorders, bilateral hearing loss, and sleep apnea syndrome. The claims are being remanded to obtain a VA examination and supplemental opinion regarding these issues.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for his total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to May 22, 2006. The Board has determined that the case must be remanded so that it can be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration of an extraschedular TDIU rating from July 18, 2004 to May 22, 2006.

The Board has remanded the claims for higher ratings and earlier effective dates due to insufficient development of evidence. The Veteran's OSA, PTSD, and peripheral neuropathy are all being evaluated further.

The Board has dismissed all issues on appeal as the Veteran's representative withdrew their appeals prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and examinations.

The Board denied service connection for right shoulder disability, low back disability, left hip arthritis, right hip arthritis, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran's current disabilities are not considered to be related to his active service.,The Board also denied a higher evaluation for the service-connected shell fragment wound of the left thigh and denied compensable evaluations for two service-connected scars.

The Board has denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities as there is no current diagnosis of such conditions.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's claim regarding the reduction from a 20 percent to a 10 percent rating for diabetes mellitus type II. The missing treatment records need to be obtained and reviewed.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including those secondary to cancer of the larynx, are denied as they do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, as well as increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and bilateral diabetic neuropathy. The Veteran's VA treatment records from 2015 to present need to be obtained, and he should be scheduled for a VA examination to evaluate his peripheral artery disease.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding a continuity of symptomatology since service. Service connection was denied for diabetes mellitus and diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since December 27, 2013. The Board has granted the TDIU effective from that date.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified anxiety disorder and unspecified depressive disorder with TBI are granted at a maximum schedular rating of 70 percent, effective May 25, 2014. The appeal is REMANDED for further action on other issues.