Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, including a back disorder, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity and bilateral lower extremities, erectile dysfunction, and headache disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for prostate cancer and increased disability ratings for diabetic neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities before a decision was made.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus type II and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities have been denied. Separate ratings were granted for upper extremity conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is reopened and remanded. The claim for service connection for neuropathy of the left lower extremity, to include as secondary to the back disability, is also remanded.

The Board denied service connection for restless leg syndrome of the right lower extremity, left lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the right upper and left upper extremities, and COPD. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for skin cancer of the left inner ear and neck with Moh's surgery.,The Board denied service connection for restless leg syndrome of the right lower extremity, left lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the right upper and left upper extremities, and COPD. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for skin cancer of the left inner ear and neck with Moh's surgery.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities are at least in equipoise as to whether they result in loss of use of both feet and require aid and attendance due to PTSD alone, thus meeting the criteria for SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114 (o) and (r)(1).

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities are being remanded for further evaluation as his conditions have worsened.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and its associated peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and abdominal aortic aneurysm. The decision is based on presumed exposure to herbicides during service in Thailand.

The Board found that the Veteran's diagnosed disabilities, including multiple myeloma and diabetes mellitus type II, are not related to an undiagnosed illness or a Gulf War syndrome. The VA examiner concluded that these conditions have known etiologies unrelated to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus was granted with an effective date of August 27, 2008. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity was denied as there were no diagnoses prior to December 2, 2016.

The Board has remanded several claims, including those for service connection and rating issues related to the Veteran's disabilities. The appeals are being returned to the AOJ for additional development.

The Board denied service connection for neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, as well as a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The radiculopathy was not present during service or related to service-connected lumbar strain.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, ear disability, glaucoma, respiratory disorder, hypertension, upper intestinal disorder (GERD), erectile dysfunction, left great toenail paronychia, gout, right foot disability, skin disability, LUE neuropathy with pain, RUE neuropathy with pain, LLE neuropathy with pain, and RLE neuropathy with pain due to outstanding evidence that may be relevant to the claims.

The Veteran's service records show he was hospitalized for a fever of undetermined origin in 1969. He also had complaints of hearing loss, eye issues, hypertension, and neurological symptoms such as ataxia and neuropathy during his service and after discharge. The Board has ordered additional examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been remanded due to the need for additional records from the Social Security Administration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical nexus evidence and outstanding private treatment records. The claims are related to COPD, diabetes mellitus, neuropathy of various extremities, and sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear diagnoses and lack of opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left upper extremity nerve condition, including carpal tunnel syndrome and peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and related complications are found to have contributed materially in producing or accelerating his death from a left middle cerebral artery stroke. Service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of scars of the chin and neck, left knee disorder, and hypertension. The restoration of a 20 percent rating for peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inconsistencies in the examination results and lack of diagnosis, as well as an indication that the Veteran's DM disability may have increased in severity.