Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that new examinations are needed to evaluate the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his bilateral lower extremities and right shoulder conditions. The issues of higher ratings for these conditions have been remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right lower peripheral neuropathy, both secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's death was not due to his own willful misconduct, and he was in receipt of or entitled to receive compensation for a service-connected disability rated totally disabling at the time of his death. However, the Veteran did not have a total rating due to a service-connected disability prior to his death.

The Board denied the claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for peripheral neuropathy, finding that there was no evidence of negligence or lack of informed consent on the part of VA. The Board also found that the Veteran's bilateral foot disorder had its onset during service and granted service connection for it.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both upper extremities and an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction. The claim for special monthly compensation for loss of use of a creative organ was also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities due to potential environmental exposure at Fort McClellan.

The Board denied service connection for fatigue disorder, left upper extremity neuropathy, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as mental condition), and sleep apnea.,The Board also denied earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and the 10 percent disability evaluation assigned for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine disorder, left wrist disorders, cervical spine disorder, right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to insufficient development of the record. The issues are being returned for further examination and medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his TDIU claim is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities due to inadequate examination findings.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to insufficient information on the current level of disability caused by his service-connected conditions. He needs updated VA examinations for his heart, diabetes, and peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has denied all service connection claims, finding no evidence of a nexus between the claimed conditions and active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA medical opinions and a need for clarification of the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed right upper extremity disorder, specifically sensory polyneuropathy. The claim will be re-adjudicated after obtaining updated treatment records and a clarifying VA medical opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy and various ratings for his cervical spine, lumbar spine, hip, and radiculopathy disabilities. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a relationship between these conditions and either service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for left leg peripheral neuropathy was denied, but he is entitled to a 20% disability rating. The issue of entitlement to total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to PTSD was dismissed as moot because the Veteran already has a 100% schedular rating for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection, increased rating, and TDIU due to inadequate medical opinions regarding his neurological disability of the lower extremities, dermatophytosis of the feet and keratotic lesions, and whether topical treatment constitutes systemic therapy.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claims, particularly concerning his acquired psychiatric disability and service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, specifically not obtaining a VA examination prior to the October 2018 rating decision on appeal regarding whether the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is directly related to his presumed herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for residuals of a neck injury is denied as the evidence does not support an increased rating.,Service connection for hypertension remains remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its etiology.,Service connection for gastrointestinal disorder (including gastric ulcer, gastroenteritis, polyps, and colonic diverticulosis) remains remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its etiology.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity remains remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its etiology.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity remains remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its etiology.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depressive disorder) remains remanded due to conflicting VA medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for a clothing allowance due to the use of a back brace and compound cream are denied as there is no evidence showing damage to clothing caused by these items, and the application of cream to service-connected scars does not cause irreparable damage.