Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, finding no evidence linking these conditions to service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board denied the reduction of special monthly compensation (SMC) payments from the aid and attendance rate to the housebound rate due to hospitalization at government expense, as it was proper.

Service connection is granted for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus, both presumed to be related to herbicide exposure in service.,High cholesterol claim is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, which he contends is due to herbicide exposure in service, has been remanded due to deficiencies in the record and need for additional development regarding his Naval Reserve duty.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus led to the grants of service connection for varicose veins, peripheral vascular disease, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The effective dates are set at February 21, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are granted, with the exception of the right upper extremity claim which is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his internal hemorrhoids, rectal sphincter control, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Board denied a higher rating for the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on episodes of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions requiring one or two hospitalizations per year or twice a month visits to a diabetic care provider.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for coronary artery disease has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities was granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to an error in the previous decision and needs further examination to determine if the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity neuropathy is related to his service-connected residuals of pilonidal cystectomy.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims of service connection for TMJ disorder, diabetes mellitus type II, polyneuropathy of the lower extremities, and kidney disorder. The appeal was dismissed due to a March 2019 rating decision granting service connection for TMJ disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus II, PTSD, and TDIU due to a lack of medical opinions addressing whether his service-connected disabilities require regulation of activities as part of medical management of his diabetes, and whether he has occupational and social impairments with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes and related complications, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as an electrician.

The Veteran is granted a disability rating of 40 percent for polyradiculopathy of the right lower extremity and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, effective from January 1, 2014. The Veteran previously received partial increases to these ratings.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and diabetic peripheral neuropathy due to obesity related to a lumbar spine disability. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder as secondary to a lumbar spine disability is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for right upper extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity neuropathy disabilities due to exposure to hazardous chemicals from Titan II missiles during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction has been dismissed. The claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, type II; left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy prior to October 26, 2012; and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy prior to October 26, 2012 have all been denied. A TDIU has been granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral ulnar neuropathy, and cervical spine disability due to additional development being needed.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, as well as service connection for gout. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is found to be at least as likely as not due to in-service herbicide exposure. Service connection was denied for gout.