Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a headache disability, an effective date prior to June 7, 2016 for urinary disability, and ratings in excess of certain disabilities were all denied. The Veteran was granted TDIU.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II. The Board also denied service connection for left upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, secondary to diabetes mellitus type II. The case is remanded for further examination and evaluation of PTSD and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The right lower extremity neurological disability (peripheral neuropathy) claim is remanded due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II are granted.

The Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation at the housebound rate prior to January 9, 2018 is denied. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded for further review of new evidence.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and associated peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities are being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for updated medical records and a VA examination.

The Board granted service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, stomach cancer, and esophageal spasms as secondary to service-connected stomach cancer. Service connection for hypertension was not addressed due to a lack of VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disability and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities are remanded due to unclear evidence of current disabilities, and his diabetes mellitus, type II, may be related to service under presumptive provisions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is remanded as there was no consideration of a one-year presumptive period.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and low back disability are remanded due to unclear evidence of current disabilities.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is remanded as there was no consideration of a one-year presumptive period.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal in August 2019.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for idiopathic peripheral neuropathy. The claims for service connection for a penis deformity and supraventricular arrhythmias with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction to include mitral regurgitation are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for increased ratings for his service-connected peripheral neuropathy conditions. The Board finds that the earliest possible effective date is September 21, 2017.,An effective date of September 21, 2017 was assigned for the grant of DEA benefits based on the date that the Veteran came in receipt of a combined 100 percent rating for his service-connected disabilities. The Board notes that the Veteran has pending appeal of several service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination due to the need for clarification on whether the Veteran's neurobehavioral effects, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, heart disability, and vascular disorder are related to his service at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and secondary service connection for neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities as well as tinnitus. The Veteran's cerebrovascular accident (stroke) is also not service connected.,Service connection was denied for hypertension.

The Board has denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, but has remanded the issue of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, finding that it is presumed to have been incurred as a result of herbicide agent exposure during service. Service connection for prostate nodules was denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus type II and ischemic heart disease have been granted. The claim for bilateral peripheral neuropathy is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities was denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for heart disability, diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, skin rash, and rectal carcinoid tumor due to new and material evidence. However, it denied these claims as there is no credible evidence of herbicide exposure during military service in Thailand.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for ischemic heart disease, peripheral artery disease and neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities due to herbicide exposure as secondary to service-connected ischemic heart disease. Additional development is needed including VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeals for various disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and potential updated examinations.