Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for prostate cancer, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were denied as there was no evidence of significant disability that warranted a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for restoration of a 100% rating for multiple myeloma and service connection for back disability and peripheral neuropathy (claimed as bilateral leg condition) is denied. The reduction from 100% to 0% was proper due to the absence of active disease or significantly disabling residuals.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to assess whether all service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral knee and shoulder conditions, neuropathy, diabetes mellitus, and low back pain, warrant the need for aid and attendance.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and that the disability is not related to herbicide exposure. The preponderance of the evidence supports this decision.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for cataracts has been dismissed.,His petition to reopen a previously denied claim of service connection for hypertension was granted, and the claim is now presumed due to exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right and left carotid artery blockage, neuropathy of the upper extremities, and neurobehavioral effects are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology.,Additional development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck disability, radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities to obtain additional medical opinions regarding causation and aggravation by service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for further development regarding exposure to herbicidal agents while in-service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and his PTSD was rated at 50 percent. The appeal is REMANDED for further action on the issues of service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a neurological disorder of the bilateral upper extremities due to an in-service motor vehicle accident and potential exposure to herbicide agents. The case is being returned for further examination and opinion regarding etiology, including whether any condition found during the appeal period is related to active duty service or his service-connected left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, type II diabetes mellitus, right foot neuropathy, left foot neuropathy, and acrophobia were all granted service connection. The effective date for the award of a 100% rating for coronary artery disease is March 7, 2013.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected vertigo with dizziness warrants a 10 percent rating for the entire period of appeal, and his service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity warrants a remanded issue as it may warrant an increased rating. The current ratings are based on symptoms consistent with mild incomplete paralysis.

The Veteran's headaches are not characterized by very frequent completely prostrating attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability, and the claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent is denied.,Claims for earlier effective dates for increased ratings for headaches and bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy were received on March 13, 2013. The evidence does not show an increase in these disabilities within one year prior to this date, so the earliest allowable date is March 13, 2013.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are remanded as there are no treatment records related to his counseling for PTSD. The claim for TDIU is also remanded due to its inextricability with the other claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and further evaluation is needed.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction and peripheral neuropathy affecting the left and right lower extremities, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not proximately due to or the result of the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy has been rated at 10 percent, and the Board is remanding to determine if a higher rating is warranted.

The Board has decided that another VA opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is at least as likely as not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for median nerve neuropathy has been dismissed due to the appellant requesting withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II, ischemic heart disease, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are granted service connection. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to new VA treatment records being added to the record.