Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2019

The Veteran's right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy are rated 20 percent disabling each, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are also rated 10 percent disabling each, with no higher rating found by the Board.

The Veteran's hypertension, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathies, obstructive sleep apnea, and erectile dysfunction are all granted as service-connected. The Veteran’s prostatitis is dismissed due to pre-existing status. The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50% for PTSD remains pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities due to a lack of an opinion regarding whether these conditions are related to alcohol use, which is secondary to the service-connected other specified trauma and stress-related disorder.

The Board has dismissed the claims as they have already been granted in full by a July 2018 rating decision.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a cervical spine condition. The case is remanded for further development and consideration.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and bilateral peripheral neuropathy as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or were related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for right upper extremity nerve damage, finding that the Veteran's right ulnar neuropathy was not proximately caused or aggravated by a left arm tetanus shot received at VA.

The Board has remanded the claims for lung disability and peripheral neuropathy of both upper and lower extremities due to exposure to herbicide agents. Additional development is needed, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and his diabetes mellitus is rated at 100 percent disabling.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, as well as the claim for TDIU. The reasons are that there is inconclusive evidence regarding whether the Veteran has a current diagnosis of upper extremity disorder and if it is related to his service or diabetes.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus type II, tinnitus, and peripheral neuropathy, rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to December 22, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for prostate cancer service connection and SMC based on the need for aid and attendance are being remanded due to a lack of contemporaneous medical examination.

The Veteran's service-connected right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, carpal tunnel syndrome, and residuals of a right wrist ganglion cyst do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are granted service connection due to herbicide exposure. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the remaining issues due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and evaluation due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether these conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected back disability. The SMC claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the service connection claims.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, but has remanded the issues regarding bilateral upper extremities and right lower extremity due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection of ischemic heart disease (IHD) has been granted. The Board found new and material evidence that could relate to a previously unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.,Service connection for Parkinson’s disease is denied as there is no evidence indicating it was caused or aggravated by service-connected DMII associated with herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for postoperative residuals of left ankle fracture, peripheral neuropathy of the left lateral foot and ankle, and postoperative scars of the left ankle were denied on an extraschedular basis as their symptoms are adequately contemplated by the applicable diagnostic criteria.