Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, as well as myositis. The remand requires a new medical opinion regarding whether these conditions are caused or aggravated by service-connected diabetes mellitus or posttraumatic stress disorder, and an examination to determine if serum alkaline phosphate testing is possible.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to new evidence submitted by the appellant, including a June 7, 2019, contracted diabetic sensory-motor peripheral neuropathy examination report.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, pancreatitis with cysts, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma were all denied as they are not related to his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted service connection based on exposure to herbicide agents in service. The cervical spine disability claim is remanded for further development.

The Board has denied the reopening of previously denied claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of all four extremities, finding no new and material evidence to support the claim.

The Veteran's hypertension and peripheral neuropathy (RLE and LLE) are being remanded for further examination to determine if they are related to his service-connected coronary artery disease.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities due to insufficient evidence regarding the current severity of these conditions. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other claims.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, diabetes mellitus, PTSD, and residuals of a left thumb fracture are all rated at the lowest possible levels due to their mild nature.,The Veteran does not meet the criteria for higher ratings as his conditions do not warrant more severe evaluations based on severity or additional symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of cold weather injury to bilateral lower extremities, finding that the Veteran's current neuropathy is linked to his in-service exposure to cold temperatures.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy was denied for ratings in excess of the assigned 10 percent prior to January 29, 2018 and since that date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and retrospective evaluations.

The Board has stayed adjudication of all cases affected by the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019, including this case.,Service connection is denied for erectile dysfunction, depression, bilateral sinus condition, upper and lower teeth problem, bilateral CTS, stomach condition, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral lung condition.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD due to the lack of credible supporting evidence that a sexual assault occurred during service, and thus the Veteran's claim is not supported by competent and credible evidence.,The VA left hip replacement case is remanded as there are allegations of negligence resulting in additional disability or death.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right arm thoracic outlet syndrome, right wrist neuropathy, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. The issues of TDIU are also deferred pending resolution of these claims.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy and PTSD, as well as incomplete VA treatment records.

The Board has dismissed all claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity and right upper extremity have been reopened.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity and right lower extremity are denied.,The Board has remanded to determine appropriate effective dates for the grants of service connection.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, and bilateral upper extremity neuropathy due to a lack of an opinion regarding their etiology. The Veteran's claim is not currently decided.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities are remanded due to the need for additional examination and development. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with these issues.