Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The AOJ is instructed to attempt to obtain additional evidence, including SPRs and any other relevant records, to determine if the Veteran’s unit participated in missions to Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, and the cases are remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction. The evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions were related to the Veteran's active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate opinions and need for additional examinations. The issues include chronic low back pain, chronic diarrhea, esophageal disability, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, all related to his service-connected conditions or exposure.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus was caused by his in-service exposure to herbicide agents. Service connection for type II diabetes mellitus is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to incomplete development, including a need for new VA examinations. The issues include spinal disorders and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of frostbite and peripheral neuropathy to the lower extremities have been rated at 30 percent since November 8, 2017. The Board denied an increased rating as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7122.

The Veteran's right and left ulnar neuropathies are granted with ratings in excess of 30% from June 2019 onwards, and his stomach disorder is granted. The increased ratings for ulnar neuropathies remain on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bladder cancer is granted, as supported by a July 2019 opinion linking the condition to his military service. Service connection is also granted for neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities secondary to bladder cancer treatment. The appeal related to increased ratings for PTSD, sleep apnea, CAD scars, and diabetes mellitus remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and bilateral hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to July 11, 2018. Effective from July 11, 2018, the Veteran is in receipt of a 100% schedular rating for his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The claims for service connection for bilateral neuropathy of the upper extremities, a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, and TDIU have been remanded.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral foot disability and prostate disability were remanded. The Board finds that the earliest possible effective date for the award of service connection for hypertension is August 1, 2017—the date of his claim.,The Veteran’s claims of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral foot disability and prostate disability should be remanded to afford the Veteran VA examinations.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension was remanded. The Board finds that remand is warranted to obtain outstanding records and address the absence of evidence in the Veteran’s STRs.,The Veteran’s claim of entitlement to service connection for restless leg syndrome was remanded. Remand is warranted to afford the Veteran a new VA examination.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD was remanded. The Board finds that remand is warranted to obtain an addendum opinion concerning the etiology of the Veteran’s PTSD.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a compensable disability rating for cataracts status post lens implants and dry eye syndrome was remanded. Remand is warranted to afford the Veteran a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities due to a lack of medical records documenting the condition during or shortly after service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were denied. The right 5th metatarsal fracture was rated as 10 percent disabling, PTSD was rated at 30 percent, and left ulnar neuropathy (previously rated as carpal tunnel syndrome) was also rated at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy and gastrointestinal disability due to exposure in Southwest Asia, as they are not clear on the record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of both upper extremities, finding no current diagnosis and insufficient evidence linking any symptoms to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition and remanded the issue of service connection for neuropathy, left lower extremity. The case is now pending further development.

The Veteran's PTSD, DMII, hypertension, gynecomastia, and bilateral foot peripheral neuropathy are all remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a disability of the bilateral lower extremities and a lung disorder, to include COPD. The case will be returned to the Board for further action based on additional evidence and examination findings.

Service connection for GERD, carpal tunnel syndrome of upper extremities, and tarsal tunnel syndrome of lower extremities is granted. An earlier effective date of August 19, 2011, is granted for service connection for these conditions. However, an earlier effective date than October 7, 2014, for service connection for erectile dysfunction and special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ is denied.