Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to Agent Orange exposure. The AOJ is instructed to verify the Veteran's presence in Vietnam and request records from his assigned unit to determine if he was exposed to herbicides. If verified, the claims will be considered under the presumptive provisions for diabetes mellitus type II and VA examinations will be scheduled to assess the relationship between the conditions and Agent Orange exposure.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, finding no credible evidence linking these conditions to service or post-service treatment.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy was not incurred in service and may not be presumed to have been incurred due to herbicide exposure, including Agent Orange. The Board found the evidence insufficient to establish a connection between the condition and service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy has been reopened and granted. The Board also remanded the claims of service connection for torn tendons in the upper left leg, a fractured neck, and a fractured left leg, all claimed as secondary to falling due to peripheral neuropathy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on need for regular aid and attendance prior to January 12, 2010 due to insufficient evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities rendered him helpless enough to require regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's left and right lower extremity radiculopathy and peripheral neuropathy have been granted ratings of 40 percent since January 30, 2015.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, which requires insulin and an oral hypoglycemic agent. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating as it did not show regulation of activities or hospitalizations for ketoacidosis or hypoglycemia.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension were denied as there is no evidence of a disease or injury in service.,The Veteran's claims for right knee disability, right ankle disability, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (left foot), left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (right foot), gout right foot, and gout left foot were also denied as there is no evidence of a disease or injury in service.

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

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss. The remaining claims, including service connection for various conditions, are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities is currently rated at 20 percent each, but he argues for a higher rating.,The Board finds that the symptoms do not meet a moderately severe level of incomplete paralysis.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral vascular disease and peripheral neuropathy in both lower extremities and the left hip, finding that there was no evidence showing these conditions were caused by or related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus II, cataracts, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and nephropathy associated with diabetes mellitus II. The Veteran's diabetes is presumed to have resulted from herbicide exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, erectile dysfunction as secondary to diabetes mellitus, and bilateral diabetic retinopathy. Service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity and left lower extremity is also granted.,Service connection for a bilateral eye disability other than diabetic retinopathy (residuals of retinal detachment and cataracts with pseudophakia) remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional information regarding herbicide agent exposure in Korea.

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, and the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether he is entitled to a TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae and remanded the issues of service connection for retinopathy of the eyes, neuropathy of upper extremities, and neuropathy of lower extremities as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied as there is no evidence that he was unemployable prior to January 30, 2012.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for HIV and its complications, as well as his claim for dental treatment purposes related to HIV. The Social Security Administration records are requested, and an addendum medical opinion is needed regarding whether sexual activity during service resulted in the Veteran's HIV infection.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for IBS, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, PTSD, and anxiety and depression. The claims are being remanded to obtain necessary medical records and to schedule VA examinations.