Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion and missing informed consent documents. The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is now pending again.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depressive disorder), but denied service connection for Type I diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities. The decision is based on new evidence submitted by the Veteran that supports her claim for PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that the Veteran's in-service chemical exposure is causally related to his current condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left lower extremity peripheral vascular disease, coronary artery disease, right lower extremity peripheral vascular disease, diabetes mellitus type 2 (DMII), and various diabetic neuropathies, have rendered him unemployable due to his inability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for several service connection claims, including those related to PTSD, hypertension, heart condition, back condition, right hip condition, left hip condition, bilateral feet peripheral neuropathy, and monoclonal gammopathy. The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for clarification of medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, has been granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim is granted, while his sleep apnea claim is denied. The right and left knee retropatellar pain syndrome claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type 2 is granted as service-connected due to herbicide agent exposure.,Peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is granted as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus type 2.,Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is denied, as there is no current diagnosis in the record.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, ulnar neuropathy of the right upper extremity, chronic right wrist disability, acid reflux disease, and PTSD. The claims are being remanded due to inadequate VCAA notice.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities is granted with evaluations of 20 percent for the sciatic nerve and 10 percent for the femoral nerve, respectively. A TDIU is also granted.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance for the year 2018 for the use of bilateral knee braces due to service-connected diabetic disabilities is remanded. The decision will be reconsidered after additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and an examination to determine if the Veteran’s abnormal gait is attributable to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected disabilities, including peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, low back disability, left knee disability, and heart disability. The Board has determined that additional development is needed for these claims due to incomplete medical opinions.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation for aid and attendance based on his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral shoulder disabilities, and neuropathy of the left lower extremity.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran’s claim of entitlement to service connection for left leg peripheral neuropathy, to include as a result of herbicide agent exposure. The Veteran was exposed to Agent Orange during his service at Eglin Air Force Base.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, including residuals of a spinal tap, neuropathy of the lower extremities, low back disability, and cysts, as there was no evidence to support their occurrence during service or their relationship to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's service treatment records from his Air Force service and to provide him with a VA examination for his acquired psychiatric disorder, skin disorders, back disorder, gastrointestinal disorder, and polyneuropathy. The claims are being remanded due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and lack of evidence regarding exposure to herbicides, chemicals, or radiation during service.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to Agent Orange exposure, as VA failed to verify the Veteran's in-service exposure at Fort McClellan.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus, diabetic nephropathy, and diabetic retinopathy are all rated at 20 percent. The Veteran's diabetic neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities are also rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable from April 4, 2010 to June 20, 2016. Effective date for TDIU grant is granted.