Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on all issues except bilateral foot and toenail fungus is dismissed. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's diabetes is presumed to be related to his service in Vietnam, and the bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is found to be secondary to his service-connected diabetes. The claim for residuals of a left great toe amputation is remanded as VA examination is needed.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, finding no evidence of injury or disease in service and no medical opinion linking the condition to service.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU and compensable disability rating for bilateral cataracts is remanded due to the need for additional evidence. The Veteran's hearing loss claim remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity is being remanded due to a lack of recent medical evidence and the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's left and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy have been rated at 20 percent since March 15, 2017.,Prior to March 15, 2017, the Veteran's left and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy were not service-connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right wrist arthritis, CTS, and ulnar nerve condition due to lack of chronicity in service or continuity of symptomatology, and because these conditions are not etiologically related to service-connected right fifth metacarpal fracture residuals.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that it is not related to active service and does not meet the criteria for secondary service connection due to a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeal for restoration of a 20% disability rating for cervical spine disability from October 13, 2017 is denied. The Veteran also appealed for higher ratings and TDIU but these appeals are also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's appeal regarding service connection for various conditions was dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal. The claims were not substantiated.

The Veteran's claims for left shoulder, left knee, right knee, and bilateral leg conditions are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.,Peripheral neuropathy of the feet and legs is also being remanded as there remains a question about whether it exists.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is granted as service connected, and the right foot and lumbar spine disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and bilateral neuropathy of the lower extremities as there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other causative factors.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation of his service-connected median nerve sensorimotor neuropathy of the left upper extremity is denied. The Board found that the evidence does not demonstrate complete paralysis, which would warrant a higher rating. For TDIU, the Veteran was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, but the Board determined that referral for extraschedular consideration was not warranted.

The Board has vacated the November 2018 decision, finding that new evidence was not considered. The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease due to herbicide exposure are denied as there is no credible evidence of actual exposure.

The Veteran's multiple sclerosis is related to his military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The claims for secondary conditions (fatigue, muscle spasms, low back disorder, optic neuropathy) are remanded as additional medical opinions are needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status due to his service-connected disabilities, as he is not bedridden or in need of regular aid and assistance.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives. The VA examiner is asked to address whether there is loss of use of the right foot due to service-connected disability alone during the appeal period.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for further development on his service connection claims for back pain and peripheral neuropathy, which could impact his TDIU determination.