Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The claims of entitlement to service connection for left carpal tunnel syndrome, a left shoulder condition, and a right shoulder strain with rotator cuff tear remain not reopened. Service connection is denied for diabetes mellitus, type 2, including as secondary to exposure to herbicide agents, and bilateral neuropathy.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for L4-L5 degenerative disc disease and right sciatica and decreased sensory neuropathy in the L4-L5 region was granted, with a disability rating of 20 percent. The effective date is not specified.

The ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and PTSD have been reduced, but are being restored due to lack of evidence showing improvement. The Veteran's hearing loss claim is remanded for additional etiological opinion. Increased evaluations for both conditions and PTSD are also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is denied as there was no in-service exposure to herbicide agents and the disease did not manifest within one year of separation from service.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is also denied due to lack of a current diagnosis.

The Veteran's TDIU is granted with an effective date of August 24, 2012. The earlier effective date claim was denied as the earliest date on which the Veteran met the schedular criteria for entitlement to a TDIU was June 7, 2006.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence on file regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the legs and feet. A new VA examination is needed to determine if this condition is related to service, particularly given the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded both claims for service connection: one to reopen a claim for a testicular disorder and the other for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities. The Veteran must be provided with a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) on the reopening claim, and a statement of the case (SOC) on the service connection claim.

The Board has denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed bilateral foot conditions, as well as his claims for left and right lower extremity conditions. The case is being remanded to obtain a VA examination to address the etiology of the Veteran’s bilateral lower extremity neuropathy.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, IHD, DM, PN of the bilateral upper extremities, and PN of the bilateral lower extremities. The claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence for hypertension. Service connection was also denied on a direct basis for IHD and DM as there is no evidence showing they are related to service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile and adaptive equipment is denied as he does not meet the eligibility requirements under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for neuropathy of the right arm was denied, and he is currently rated at 20% for this condition. The Board also found that he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities as of December 13, 2012, granting him a TDIU prior to that date.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, panic disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder, is granted. The claims for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, erectile dysfunction, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and hypertension are remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU award is remanded as the evidence suggests his service-connected disabilities may have impacted his ability to work as early as 2012, possibly leading to retirement. The effective date for TDIU could be as early as when he last worked full-time in April 2012.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to lack of compliance with previous instructions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for sleep apnea, left carpal tunnel syndrome, right forearm and hand neuropathy, bilateral hearing loss, thoracolumbar spine disability, and left lower extremity sciatic nerve disability are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has dismissed all appeals as the Veteran withdrew his requests for service connection and other benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated as 40 percent disabling, and he is granted TDIU benefits due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus due to exposure to Agent Orange. The Veteran's renal failure and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to chemical exposure during active duty are not adequately addressed by the current evidence, and thus these cases are being remanded for further development.