Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for esophageal cancer, lung cancer, neuropathy of the left foot, and neuropathy of the right foot on an accrued basis as secondary to diabetes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, specifically his peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic and femoral nerves in both lower extremities and his right hand deformity with limitation of motion, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective July 19, 2017.

Service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus is granted. Service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and neuropathy of the left lower extremity are remanded.

The Veteran's superficial peroneal neuropathy of the right lower extremity was granted a higher 20 percent rating prior to October 31, 2017. From that date onwards, a rating higher than 30 percent is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims due to lack of substantial compliance with its December 2017 remand. The AOJ is instructed to contact the Air Force Historical Research Agency and obtain any unit history and supporting documents related to the Veteran's alleged exposure to herbicides while stationed in Guam.

Your claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities has been granted, and you are now receiving a 10% disability rating. However, since your claim is no longer before the Board due to the issuance of a new rating decision, this matter is dismissed.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea and reopening of his atrial fibrillation and Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathy service connection claims need to be remanded due to additional VA treatment records not having been considered.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy and its relation to Camp Lejeune exposure. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for residuals of a left quadricep contusion and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. However, the issues of service connection for sciatic neuropathy of the left lower extremity, bilateral leg disability (claimed as pain and poor blood circulation), and residuals of a left quadriceps contusion are remanded due to missing records and need for new examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, primarily diabetes and associated peripheral neuropathies, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether he is entitled to a TDIU.

The Veteran's initial higher ratings for various diabetic peripheral neuropathies and prostate cancer residuals have been granted. The claim to reopen service connection for asthma has been remanded, as well as the claims for a respiratory disability and psychiatric conditions.

The Board has denied the requests to reopen claims for service connection for various conditions, including back disability, peripheral neuropathy of the lower and upper extremities. The appeals were based on direct service connection or secondary service connection due to a pre-existing condition.

The Board has granted service connection for ulnar neuropathy of the left upper extremity, finding that it is related to military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for stroke residuals, diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral diabetic retinopathy, kidney condition, upper and lower extremity neuropathy, ischemic heart disease, and hypertension has been granted. However, the claims for these conditions are not supported by evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents or other direct service connection.

The Board dismissed all appeals regarding increased disability ratings and service connection claims for various conditions, including PTSD, peripheral neuropathy, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, scar associated with CABG, unspecified depressive disorder, and cataracts. The Veteran withdrew his appeals prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to an inadequate VA opinion regarding the nature and likely etiology of any diagnosed upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, specifically whether it is related to service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, as well as their relationship to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities is granted with a 20 percent disability rating prior to November 25, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical opinions regarding his functional impairments due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the death of the appellant.