Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case due to potential herbicide exposure during service, specifically Agent Orange exposure at the Royal Thai Air Force Base in Ubon, Thailand. The Veteran's claims for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are being reviewed further.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed due to his death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims as he died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is rated at 30 percent, and his diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity and left lower extremity are each rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder rotator cuff tear, initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, and higher evaluations for bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for service-connected right foot disability has been dismissed. His claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral legs, to include as due to in-service herbicide exposure, has been granted.

The application to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection for a low back condition was denied. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity and Hepatitis C were also denied, while service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is remanded.

The Board has determined that a medical opinion is needed to assess whether the Veteran's service-connected conditions contributed to or accelerated his death, and thus remands the case for further action.

The appeal is remanded due to the inextricability of the accrued benefits claim and the need for further adjudication on both claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates have been decided. The decision grants a separate evaluation of 10 percent for RUE ulnar radiculopathy beginning June 19, 2013, but denies all other issues raised in the appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to the need for a new examination and opinion regarding his service connection claims, particularly those related to joint pain, right leg disability, sleep apnea, and prostate disability.

The Board has determined that additional evidence was received and remanded the cases for readjudication.

The Board has determined that additional evidence received by VA should be reviewed by the RO, and the case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for right hand condition, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and PTSD were granted. The petitions to reopen the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied.,Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to lack of evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board denied reopening the claims for service connection of neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities due to Agent Orange exposure, finding no new and material evidence since the October 2013 rating decision.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower and upper extremities due to new and material evidence. The Veteran's condition is found to be related to his in-service herbicide exposure, thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for hypertension, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left and right legs and feet, and meralgia paresthetica have been dismissed. The appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, depression, anxiety) has been remanded.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, erectile dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are all granted service connection. The Veteran is also found to have been exposed to herbicide agents in Thailand during his service there. However, the issues regarding peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities and a skin disability remain unresolved.

The Board has remanded the claims due to additional evidence being added to the record and requires AOJ review.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of various disabilities, including attention deficit disorder, loss of teeth, vision loss in the right eye, atherosclerosis, bilateral hip disability, and peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran's service connection claims are not granted at this time.