Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2019

The Veteran's left lower extremity compression peripheral neuropathy and major depression and panic disorder without agoraphobia have progressed, requiring updated examinations. The hypertension claim is also remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and the need for a VA opinion regarding whether knee braces used by the Veteran are service-connected and tend to wear out clothing.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal before a decision was made by the Board.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful occupation prior to March 22, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to April 8, 2014 is being referred to the Director of Compensation Service for extra-schedular consideration due to his unemployability caused by service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for heart disease was granted. Claims for stomach condition, prostate cancer, and bilateral upper/lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were remanded. Migraine headaches and cold injury residuals to both feet were denied.

The Board denied reopening and granting service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of peripheral neuropathy and granted service connection for multifocal motor neuropathy. The evidence is in equipoise, with a positive medical opinion linking the Veteran's conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeals regarding cataracts, upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and service connection for a psychiatric disorder were dismissed. The appeal for service connection for the variously diagnosed psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) was granted. The appeal for a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to an extra-schedular evaluation for the Veteran's back disability. The claim will be referred to the Director, Compensation Service, for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran is prevented from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of both upper and lower extremities, and tinnitus. The Board finds that the Veteran's conditions prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy in both lower extremities, finding that the schedular rating criteria adequately describe his symptoms and impairment. The Board also found no evidence of extraschedular impairment.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities as secondary to diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no evidence of these conditions in service or within one year post-service. The Veteran's hypertension is not considered to have been caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity peroneal nerve impingement/peripheral neuropathy due to potential secondary service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, and glaucoma. These claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes, and peripheral neuropathy, make it impossible for him to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate rationale in the VA examiner's opinions and the need for further development of evidence, including obtaining additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension and peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for diabetes mellitus, Type II is remanded due to the need for updated VA examination and treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, to include as secondary to exposure to Agent Orange or other dioxins. The claim for an increased rating for left ankle disability was also denied.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and ischemic heart disease are presumed to have been caused by herbicide exposure during service.,Left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and erectile dysfunction are found to be secondary to the service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.