Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a back disability. The Veteran's left leg neuropathy is denied as secondary to his service-connected sinus disability, but remanded for further examination and opinion regarding sleep apnea.,Service connection for sleep apnea cannot be granted because there is no direct or presumptive evidence linking it to active duty service.

The Board has remanded several claims due to procedural issues and the need for additional medical examinations. The Veteran's service connection claims are being reviewed, as well as his claim for a higher rating for depression with PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy in both upper and lower extremities, render him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and remanded several other claims due to additional VA treatment records being associated with the case. The new evidence includes a private medical opinion diagnosing PTSD as exacerbated by complications of surgery related to CAD.

The Veteran's tension headaches are rated at 0 percent for the entire rating period. The Board has remanded to obtain additional evidence related to left wrist disability, back disability, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy of upper and lower extremities.

Service connection is granted for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities.,Service connection is denied for a lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, and left knee disorder.,A rating of 30 percent for CAD was granted effective February 19, 2018.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy in both upper and lower extremities, attributing it to herbicide exposure during service. The Veteran's private physician suggested a possible link between his current condition and toxic exposure from service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for a combined-effects opinion regarding his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a right knee disability, right ankle disability, diverticulitis, hemorrhoids, erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, prostate disability, fatigue syndrome, and bilateral eye disability have all been denied.,No current diagnoses were found for any of these conditions in the Veteran's records.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to the Veteran's alleged exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand, including C-123 aircraft contaminated with herbicides.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral knee disabilities, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy, have rendered him unemployable due to physical impairments. The Board has granted the claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal for reopening his claim of service connection for left knee chondromalacia patellae was granted. The appeals for other conditions were remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left ulnar peripheral neuropathy, left forearm and hand scars, and fractured rib residuals as secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and peripheral neuropathy were not service-connected as they are not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides in Thailand.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for neuropathy of the right upper extremity, a pulmonary disorder including lung cysts and asthma, hypertension, and memory loss due to potential issues with the evidence and need for additional medical opinions.

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU are granted. Ratings in excess of 10 percent for left and right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for glaucoma as secondary to diabetes mellitus has been dismissed.,Service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure is denied.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure is denied.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities as secondary to diabetes mellitus is not addressed, as service connection for diabetes mellitus has been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to diabetes type I and remanded the claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities. The decision on obstructive sleep apnea remains denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the initial disability ratings for erectile dysfunction, diabetes mellitus type II, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy. As a result, these issues are dismissed.