Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his heart disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), subdural hematoma, bilateral upper extremity neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and a need for further development. The issues include osteoarthritis of the legs, spinal stenosis, and peripheral neuropathy in the lower extremities.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to herbicide exposure, including Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, has been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was also denied due to the absence of any diagnosed condition.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for right wrist strain with joint pain and decreased range of motion is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to unclear reasons and bases provided in the April 2018 decision. The issues are related as they all involve disabilities that pre-existed service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, as well as his earlier effective dates for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and scars on the right scapula are remanded. Additionally, he is seeking increased ratings for his diabetic peripheral neuropathy conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy in the Veteran's extremities due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents while serving in Vietnam. The VA is required to provide a VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to active duty service or post-service causes, including his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the need to address service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, which may be related to exposure to herbicide agents during service in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection due to missing VA treatment records from a period immediately before his death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted for SMC purposes.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete examination and need for additional opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right foot disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, finding no current disability that began during service or is related to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is found to be etiologically linked to his active duty service, specifically due to exposure to herbicide agents during service in the Republic of Vietnam. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetic neuropathy of the right lower extremity and left lower extremity have been rated as 10 percent disabling prior to July 16, 2014, and as 20 percent thereafter. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right wrist degenerative joint disease, status post-operative residuals of nonunion fracture scaphoid.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding service connection for various conditions, including peripheral neuropathy and cataracts, due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including TBI with vertigo, left hip disability, right hip disability, left ankle disability, and scalp neuropathy. The matters will be returned for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease with multilevel facet arthropathy and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, including sensory motor polyneuropathy, as secondary to the Veteran's now service-connected lower back disability.