Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral foot peripheral neuropathy, finding that there was no evidence linking his condition to active service or presumed exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the merits of the Veteran's claims for service connection. The case is being remanded to allow for this process.

The Board has granted service connection for kidney disease/condition due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. However, the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, enlarged prostate with urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction, and blurred vision are not related to his military service or exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy, right and left lower extremities, residuals of a right jaw fracture, bilateral foot fungus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) as the evidence did not support their occurrence during or due to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy must be remanded due to lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, cardiomyopathy, neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. The claims are being remanded due to concerns about the sufficiency of the VA examinations and the need for further medical opinions.

The Veteran's death was not due to his own willful misconduct, but the criteria for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 are not met as he did not meet the continuous total disability rating requirement.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, primarily his heart condition and PTSD, prevent him from obtaining and maintaining meaningful gainful employment. The Board has ordered additional examinations to assess the impact of these conditions on his ability to work.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain a VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's left upper extremity neuropathy, as there is insufficient evidence on file to make a decision.

The Veteran's non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is rated at a 100% evaluation, but his residuals are not being evaluated appropriately. The Board has ordered remand to obtain updated VA examination and treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both upper extremities, secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, is denied as there is no competent evidence of current disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is related to his presumed exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims to reopen for right shoulder disability and cervical spine disability, but denied his claim of service connection for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The case is remanded for further development regarding secondary service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of peripheral neuropathies of bilateral upper and lower extremities, finding that none of his conditions met the criteria for presumptive service connection due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such severity as to preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that he is entitled to TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities has resulted in equivalent loss of use of both feet, qualifying them for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and diabetic peripheral neuropathy are sufficiently severe to inhibit his ability to obtain gainful employment, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, diabetes mellitus type II, and peripheral neuropathy. The case is remanded to determine if there was exposure to environmental contaminants while stationed at Fort McClellan, Alabama, from April to June 1976.