Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for right and left elbow disorders, diagnosed as ulnar neuropathy and medial epicondylitis, and for right and left hand disorders, diagnosed as median nerve carpal tunnel syndrome. These conditions are considered to be directly related to the Veteran's active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, dermatitis, diabetes, and heart conditions, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. Therefore, a TDIU is granted.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding service connection for accrued benefits purposes for the claimed conditions of coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, benign neoplasm of the cerebral meninges, hypertension, bilateral upper and lower peripheral neuropathy. The appellant withdrew her appeal prior to promulgation of a decision by the Board.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes and its associated neuropathies, as well as his TDIU claim due to new evidence received since the last Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral foot disorder, diagnosed as residuals of frostbite, is related to his military service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for malaria, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, and diabetes mellitus type II have been denied. The claim for service connection for malaria was reopened but not granted. The rating for residuals of left foot gunshot wound remains at 30 percent. The rating for diabetes mellitus type II is also at its maximum allowed under VA guidelines.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disability. The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression has been reopened and granted. The Board found new and material evidence to support the reopening of his claim.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2 is granted as a result of herbicide exposure during service in Thailand. Service connection for diabetic neuropathy of bilateral upper and lower extremities is also granted as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type 2.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for peripheral neuropathy, PTSD, and sleep apnea due to incomplete examinations and lack of adequate evidence regarding the etiology of these conditions.

Service connection is granted for type two diabetes mellitus, right and left lower extremity diabetic neuropathy, and folliculitis. The issues of increased ratings for ankle and knee disabilities are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to additional evidence being added to the file and potential exposure in Vietnam. The Veteran is asked to provide any missing records or authorization.

The Board has remanded two issues related to service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities due to inadequate examination and lack of verification of exposure.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted. The claim is now reopened and will be reviewed on its merits.,The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for multiple sclerosis (MS) is denied. No new and material evidence has been received within a year of the November 2014 decision.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy is denied as there is no evidence that it was incurred in or aggravated by service or a service-connected disability.,The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus prior to September 7, 2016 is denied. The maximum schedular rating available (10%) has been assigned.,No effective date prior to September 7, 2016 for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is granted as the evidence does not meet the criteria.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities due to insufficient evidence and a need for further medical examination.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, which render him unemployable.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of his claim for eye problems and basal cell carcinoma. Service connection is established for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type 2, coronary artery disease, bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand. The Veteran's claims for service connection for eye problems and basal cell carcinoma are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to maintain gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions regarding his service-connected conditions, specifically hypertension, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and vertigo.

The Board has dismissed the issue of an earlier effective date for a higher initial rating in excess of 40 percent for gastrointestinal disorder.,The Board has denied the claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for adenocarcinoma of lung, as there is no evidence of such prior to May 19, 2011.,The Board has remanded the issues regarding earlier effective dates and higher initial ratings for residuals of right hand injury and peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further factual development regarding his exposure to herbicides during service. The issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and its related complications remain inextricably intertwined with this issue.