Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type I; coronary artery disease (CAD); bilateral eye disorder; and neuropathy are remanded due to new evidence received from a private medical opinion suggesting that these conditions were significantly and materially contributed by the Veteran's service-connected mental health condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the feet due to incomplete information regarding his exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, as well as earlier effective dates. The Veteran was granted special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is found to be at least as likely as not related to her in-service foot pain, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The appeal to reopen the claim for service connection for neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, to include as due to herbicide agent exposure, is granted. The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for coronary artery disease (CAD) and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for eligibility for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment due to lack of loss or permanent use of a hand or foot, severe burn injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ankylosis of a knee or hip.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Hepatitis C has been reopened and granted.,Service connection is also granted for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, associated with diabetes mellitus. The case is remanded for further examination to determine if this condition is related to service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and updated VA records to assess his service-connected ischemic heart disease and diabetic peripheral neuropathy, which may affect his eligibility for automobile and adaptive equipment benefits.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and increased ratings for bilateral lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence linking the conditions to his active service or service-connected diabetes.

The Board denied service connection for right upper extremity chronic pain, secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right ulnar neuropathy. The TDIU claim was also denied as there is no evidence that the service-connected disability renders the Veteran unemployable.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability and granted service connection for PTSD. The remaining issues of service connection for peripheral neuropathy, loss of use of a creative organ, and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 related to a back injury are remanded.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain was rated at 40 percent from January 25, 2010 to June 13, 2012. The appeal is denied as the rating in excess of 40 percent is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions provided by the VA examiners. The issues include bilateral shoulder disability, right hand joint pain, bilateral elbow and knee pain, cervical spine disability, renal cell carcinoma, neuropathy of lower extremities, osteoarthritis of left hand ring finger, hypertension, hiatal hernia with GERD, atopic dermatitis, migraine headaches, and bilateral condylar flattening indicative of degenerative joint disease of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hand arthralgia and denied the remaining issues of service connection. The Veteran's bilateral hand arthralgia is found to be related to his active service, while there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or relationship between his elbow and shoulder disorders with service. His left and right hand neuropathy are also not supported by the evidence.

The Veteran's petition to reopen service connection for bilateral cataracts was dismissed as moot because the claim has already been granted.,Service connection for bilateral glaucoma was denied. The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II (DM) did not cause or aggravate his glaucoma.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating and earlier effective date for service connection were both granted. The initial rating of 10 percent was maintained prior to February 15, 2017, while the increased rating of 20 percent was granted from that date onwards. Service connection was established on July 11, 2015.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction and bilateral cataracts, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity associated with diabetes mellitus have worsened since their last evaluations. Therefore, the claims are being remanded to obtain updated VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for hairy cell leukemia was dismissed due to the Veteran requesting a withdrawal of his appeal. The appeals for higher ratings for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy (left and right lower extremities) are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition, acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), and sleep apnea is remanded. The Veteran also has an ongoing TDIU appeal.,Service connection was granted for chronic prostatitis with erectile dysfunction and urinary frequency effective May 28, 2010. Service connection for depression and sleep apnea are pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity and acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD may be related to his service, but further medical examination is needed to determine this relationship.