Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for right-lower-extremity and left-lower-extremity peripheral neuropathy, as well as ischemic heart disease, all of which were not found to be related to active service or the herbicide exposure.,Ischemic heart disease was also denied due to lack of a current diagnosis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual employability (TDIU) for the entire period of appeal.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection and higher ratings for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, cyst in pancreas, right and left Achilles tendonitis, hemorrhoids, residuals of a cholecystectomy, cataracts and glaucoma, chronic kidney disease with hypertension, and coronary artery disease. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee arthritis has been reopened.

The Veteran withdrew their appeals for increased disability evaluations and effective dates related to bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. The claims are dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected right ulnar neuropathy and right elbow epicondylitis conditions have worsened, and the Board has ordered new VA examinations to assess their current severity.

The Veteran's claims for service connection related to gastrointestinal, diabetes mellitus, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy have been remanded due to the addition of new VA treatment records. These records are relevant to his claims and must be reviewed by the AOJ.

The Veteran's right lower extremity tibial neuropathy is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 8524.,The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome is currently rated at 10 percent, also the maximum rating available under DC 5260.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment beginning June 22, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for right upper extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity diabetic neuropathy, as well as tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, are denied effective date prior to March 1, 2016.,The Veteran's claim for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with depressive disorder, NOS and alcohol abuse in partial remission is remanded due to the need to determine the date of application that led to the ABCMR’s February 2016 decision to grant his request for a change in the character of his discharge.,The Veteran's claim for chloracne with icepick scars not disabling is remanded due to the need to determine the date of application that led to the ABCMR’s February 2016 decision to grant his request for a change in the character of his discharge.,The Veteran's claim for diabetes mellitus type II is remanded due to the need to determine the date of application that led to the ABCMR’s February 2016 decision to grant his request for a change in the character of his discharge.,The Veteran's claim for Dependents' Educational Assistance prior to March 1, 2016 is remanded due to the need to determine the date of application that led to the ABCMR’s February 2016 decision to grant his request for a change in the character of his discharge.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and vocational experience from September 14, 2011. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise and grants TDIU effective September 14, 2011.

The Veteran's right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,An effective date of October 12, 2010 for the increased rating of hepatitis C has been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes with bilateral lower peripheral neuropathy, both secondary to toxic herbicide exposure, are denied as there is no evidence of a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient information regarding his in-service exposure to hazardous toxins and/or ionizing radiation. The RO must verify the Veteran’s claimed exposures and then readjudicate the claims.

The Veteran's appeal concerning residuals of prostate cancer with painful urination was withdrawn. The claims for service connection for a bilateral shoulder condition, left hip condition, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and hernia were denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that would support these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of her cervical spine, upper extremity neuropathy, urinary disorder, and left hip disabilities. The VA will conduct new examinations and obtain medical opinions on these issues.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for carpal tunnel syndrome of the left and right upper extremities. Service connection was granted for peripheral neuropathy of all four extremities, with a presumption that it is related to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded several claims, including service connection for osteoporosis and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, as well as an increased rating for major depressive disorder. The claims are inextricably intertwined with other issues being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the cases due to inadequate examination and failure to address herbicide exposure in relation to peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disability and neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence to support these conditions were caused by in-service exposure or events.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is proximately due to service-connected conditions, including asthma and depressive disorder. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.