Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities due to conflicting evidence regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and related conditions are granted as secondary to herbicide agent exposure. His skin cancer is remanded for further examination.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as the RO fully granted the benefits sought on appeal, including service connection for a disability manifested as symptoms of neuropathy, to include polyneuropathy, left ulnar neuropathy, left peroneal neuropathy, and radiculopathy based on exposure to certain herbicide agents.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, erectile dysfunction, prostate cancer, incontinence, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of each extremity are remanded due to the need for verification regarding his exposure to herbicide agents during his time serving on a Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for the cause of his death is also remanded as it is intertwined with other issues.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus type II, and peripheral neuropathy are all granted as service connected. The claims for these conditions were reopened based on new evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, a bilateral leg disorder (restless legs syndrome and diabetic neuropathy), and hypertension due to potential exposure during active duty for training in January to September 1975.

The Veteran's left shoulder and right shoulder osteoarthritis, unspecified depressive disorder, hypertension, hepatitis C, headache, diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity are all granted service connection.,Service connection for sleep apnea is granted as secondary to the Veteran's now service-connected unspecified depressive disorder.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the issues on appeal have become moot.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are granted as service-connected. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities is granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, with a current rating of 70 percent.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity have been granted service connection. The issues of tremors in the upper extremities and peripheral neuropathy in the right lower extremity are denied.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection of sleep apnea was granted. His claim for increased rating of ulnar sensory neuropathy of the left hand was denied.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection of sleep apnea was granted. His claim for increased rating of ulnar sensory neuropathy of the left hand was denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity was denied as symptoms did not meet criteria for moderate incomplete paralysis.,The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity was denied as symptoms did not meet criteria for moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's current foot disabilities are related to his service, specifically the conceded frostbite injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee, bilateral ankle, and left leg neuropathy claims require additional examination to determine their etiology. The Veteran's residuals of tibia and fibula fracture with degenerative joint disease of the left knee claim also requires a new VA examination for an accurate assessment.

The Veteran's earliest claim for service connection of ocular neuropathy, status post central retinal artery occlusion was received on February 29, 2016. The Board denied an earlier effective date due to lack of intent to seek service connection benefits prior to the filing of his claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that there is no current disability for which service connection can be granted. The claims are being remanded to obtain a medical examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder, as well as bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are rated at 20 percent each, effective May 16, 2016.,The Veteran's left and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy are rated at 30 percent each, effective August 4, 2016. The Veteran's coronary artery disease is rated at 60 percent.