Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2019

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is granted service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his service in Thailand. His bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is also granted as secondary to his now service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's ratings for peripheral neuropathy (femoral nerve) of the left and right lower extremities were reduced from 20% to 0%. The Board has restored these ratings based on evidence showing no significant improvement in the Veteran's condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, as well as an increased rating for GAD with specific phobia (flying), were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a link between the conditions and service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board has remanded the case due to the inextricably intertwined issues of service connection and whether the Appellant has status as a veteran for VA purposes. The AOJ is instructed to request specific details from the Appellant regarding his claimed disabilities and their potential relationship to his military service, including which periods of ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA he believes are relevant.

The Board granted service connection for diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease as a result of herbicide agent exposure, and also granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus. The appeal was remanded for other issues.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's diabetes and related complications are being remanded for further evaluation as the current evidence is insufficient to make a fully informed decision.

The Board has remanded the cases for further clarification and evaluation, including a medical opinion on the etiology of hypertension and an examination to assess the Veteran's ability to function independently due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the lack of clear evidence regarding his exposure to herbicides and possible toxic chemicals on Okinawa. The full text of relevant reports must be obtained.

The Board dismissed all issues related to peripheral neuropathy, including service connection and rating claims, due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for service connection for various conditions related to PTSD and herbicide exposure. The Board has remanded these issues due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran is seeking TDIU, but this claim is dismissed as moot since he already receives a 100% disability rating for his PTSD.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, type II, amputations of toes, glaucoma, and cardiovascular issues, were denied as there was no evidence to support the assertions that these conditions were related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the feet as secondary to diabetes and remanded the issue of an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus type II (DMII), left and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and B-cell lymphoma due to herbicide agent exposure have all been granted.,Service connection has been established for DMII on a presumptive basis due to herbicide agent exposure. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities is also service connected as secondary to his DMII.

The Board denied the claim of CUE in the November 2015 rating decision that denied service connection for radiculopathy and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities. The evidence did not show a current diagnosed disability, and the RO correctly applied the law at the time.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.,Service connection for cervical spine condition, lower back condition, pes planus, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are all denied due to lack of current diagnoses or causal relationship to service.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and somatoform disorder) is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's diabetes is rated at 20 percent, with no higher rating granted.,Bilateral diabetic retinopathy secondary to service-connected diabetes is granted as a separate condition.,Peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity and right lower extremity are each rated at 10 percent.,Peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity and right upper extremity are each rated at 10 percent.,PTSD is rated at 70 percent, with no higher rating granted.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction is denied, and the issue of service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to alcohol dependence, which was secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The Veteran died from metastatic gastric cancer.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have all been denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current disability related to these conditions, and there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease leading to these disabilities.