Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2019

The Veteran's PTSD is now rated at 70 percent, effective April 24, 2019. The other claims remain pending.

Service connection for coronary artery disease is granted. An effective date earlier than January 31, 2015, for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is remanded. Service connection for left eye ischemic optic neuropathy and hypertension are remanded. Service connection for peripheral vascular disease (bilateral lower and upper extremities) and kidney dysfunction are remanded. Service connection for erectile dysfunction is remanded. Special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ is remanded.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been granted. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been submitted, showing a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss. However, the claims for service connection for cervical spine disability, upper right extremity neuropathy, and upper left extremity neuropathy are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to new evidence of worsening symptoms and a need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy due to service-connected conditions, including type II diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, PTSD, and herbicide exposure. The claims will be reconsidered with consideration of secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for prostate cancer with erectile dysfunction, bilateral lower extremity early onset peripheral neuropathy, and a heart condition due to herbicide agent exposure at Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines. The VA needs to verify the Veteran’s reported exposure during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including liver cancer and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (claimed as fatty liver), prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, residuals of mini-stroke, gout, hypertension, and sleep apnea are being remanded due to the need for VA examinations or medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, and bilateral lower extremity diabetic neuropathy. The appeal regarding prostate cancer and hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including left knee disability, right knee disability, right hand/finger disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), back disability, left upper extremity neuropathy, right upper extremity neuropathy, left lower extremity neuropathy, and right lower extremity neuropathy. The Board has also determined that additional development is needed to address these claims.

The Veteran's right upper extremity ulnar neuropathy with associated right-hand tremor is rated at 30 percent on an extraschedular basis for accrued benefits purposes.

The Veteran's appeal for benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a left eye disability was withdrawn, and his increased rating claims were dismissed due to lack of evidence supporting higher ratings.

The Veteran's lumbar DDD is rated at 20 percent, and the initial 20 percent rating for left lower extremity neuropathy is granted. The appeal regarding an increased disability rating for lumbar DDD is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back, right knee, and right shoulder conditions. The Veteran also had a claim for service connection for a right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy which was previously adjudicated as numbness and tingling or right upper extremity.

The Veteran's appeals for increased PTSD rating, TDIU, and hypertension were dismissed. The appeals to reopen service connection claims for right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy were granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining updated VA examinations to assess her lower extremities and determine whether her service-connected disabilities are related to her claimed conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type 2, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, all secondary to diabetes mellitus type 2. The new evidence submitted did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities have been withdrawn and are dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional evidentiary development and to issue a supplemental statement of the case if benefits are not granted in full.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus type II and peripheral neuropathy in both lower extremities due to potential herbicide exposure near the DMZ in South Korea.