Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's neurological disorder and his service, including Agent Orange exposure or any service-connected condition.

The Veteran's request to combine the ratings for service-connected bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy with his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, in a manner other than that described in 38 C.F.R. § 4.25 was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral neuropathy in his feet and legs have been denied as new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim.

The Board has determined that further examination and opinion are needed to determine the nature and cause of the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and carpal tunnel syndrome of the bilateral upper extremities, as these conditions may be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral feet, finding that it was less likely than not caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for left upper extremity neuropathy and left-sided cervicogenic headache pain/neck pain/headaches resulting from a scalene block administered in connection with his shoulder surgery are denied as the evidence does not support that these conditions were proximately caused by VA fault or an unforeseen event.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right lower extremity neuropathy due to his exposure to Agent Orange during a fire aboard the U.S.S. Forrestal in July 1967, as well as determining whether these conditions are related to his service-connected radiculopathy and/or DDD of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on five conditions have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for Type II Diabetes Mellitus and bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, including secondary to diabetes. The claims are being remanded due to new evidence received after a previous denial of the claim.

The Veteran's headaches are found to be secondary to his service-connected hypertension.,The Veteran's costochondritis is determined to be related to his coronary artery disease, post-surgery residuals.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities include ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, tinnitus, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left ear hearing loss. His combined rating is 80 percent. The Board finds it necessary to remand the issue of entitlement to a TDIU due to lack of opinion on impact on work.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to outstanding treatment records and need for examinations. The issues include service connection, increased ratings, and a higher evaluation for major depressive disorder.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings in excess of 10 percent for gastroesophageal reflux disease, coronary heart disease, and right-hand neuropathy.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination, as there are insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to service or his service-connected conditions. The same applies to the claim for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's headache disorder is rated at 50 percent, effective June 2, 2016. Prior to that date, the Veteran was granted TDIU based on multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for liver damage, AC joint arthritis of the left shoulder, carpal tunnel syndrome of the right and left wrist, degenerative disease of the left knee, degenerative changes of the right knee, chronic cervical strain with radiculopathy/neuropathy, lumbar strain, allergic rhinitis, and PTSD have all been denied. The Veteran's claim for prurigo is remanded.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 10 percent prior to January 26, 2016 and granted a 20 percent rating effective from that date. The appeal is mixed as some issues were granted while others were denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left and right hip disabilities, bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, and neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, have been denied. The Board found no current diagnoses or evidence linking these conditions to service.,There is no indication that any of the claimed conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathies associated with diabetes mellitus, type II in the upper and lower extremities have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities are denied, as there is no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after his military service. The Board found that the Veteran did not have early-onset peripheral neuropathy related to herbicide exposure.