Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral upper extremity vascular neuropathy, bilateral lower extremity vascular neuropathy, and a back disability based on new evidence submitted by the Veteran during the appeal period. The decision is in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests to reopen claims for service connection for various conditions, including left knee disability, back disability, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. The evidence submitted since the prior final denial was not considered new and material.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD (now characterized as an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD), prostate disorder due to herbicide exposure, and COPD due to herbicide exposure. The appeals are not related to service connection.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy, finding no current diagnosis and noting the Veteran's presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The skin rash claim is remanded due to inadequate examination.,Service connection for a skin rash will be remanded as there was an inadequate VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's claims are not granted as there is no current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy or psychiatric disability related to his service.

The Veteran's TDIU is granted due to his service-connected PTSD, and SMC at the housebound rate is granted as of January 22, 2019, based on his combined rating of 90 percent for service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected type two diabetes and associated peripheral neuropathies have resulted in a TDIU since June 1, 2006. Service connection for diabetic retinopathy was denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and related conditions were denied as there is no evidence of current disability or a relationship to service.,Service connection was not granted for upper-extremity neuropathy due to exposure to an herbicide agent or as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's service connection claims for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities have been granted due to continuous symptoms since service, meeting the criteria for presumptive service connection.

The Board has found that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error in failing to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations related to his hypertension, lumbar spine disability (including radiculopathy), and polyneuropathy claims. The appeals are therefore remanded for further action.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for left knee, right knee, left hip, right hip, left foot, and right foot disabilities. The Veteran also had her PTSD rating increased but is seeking a higher initial rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's cause of death, which may be related to his prescribed medications.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to December 18, 2013 and is eligible for Dependents Education Assistance benefits prior to that date.

The Veteran was granted an initial rating of 10 percent for right ulnar neuropathy prior to September 26, 2013. An initial rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter is denied.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for osteoarthritis of the lumbosacral spine and peripheral neuropathy in both lower extremities were denied. The Veteran was granted a 20% rating for his lumbosacral spine condition prior to September 20, 2012, but not after that date. His claims for higher ratings for his bilateral lower extremity neuropathies were also denied.

The Board has remanded multiple claims for service connection and evaluations, including those related to the Veteran's left shoulder, low back, right shoulder, cervical spine, left leg, right leg, bilateral eye, sleep-related symptoms, prostate, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, migraine headaches, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and acquired psychiatric disabilities. The remand also includes a request for additional medical records from SSA and VA.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and TDIU due to a lack of information from the Social Security Administration (SSA). The AOJ is instructed to request all relevant SSA records, including copies of the appellant’s application and decision. If these records are unavailable, the AOJ should notify the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss, lupus, heart disability, diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy, and kidney disease are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding exposure to herbicides.,Specifically, the RO must determine if the USS Frederick (LST-1184) was in the 12 nautical mile territorial sea of the Republic of Vietnam during service. If so, an addendum VA opinion will be obtained to assess the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and chronic kidney disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination. Specifically, a VA examination is needed to determine if his lower back disability is related to his service-connected left ankle disability or peripheral neuropathy, as well as whether his left ankle disability warrants an increased rating.

The Veteran's service-connected left leg and right foot disabilities have caused him to lose the use of his left foot, which prevents him from operating a standard motor vehicle. The Board has granted eligibility for financial assistance for an automobile and adaptive equipment.