Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a urinary disorder is denied.,Service connection for PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety has been expanded to include all psychiatric disabilities diagnosed. The claims of service connection for low back and cervical spine disabilities are remanded due to incomplete records and need for an examination.,Service connection for right hip DJD, left hip DJD, right knee DJD, left knee DJD, right ankle DJD, left ankle DJD, right foot DJD, and left foot DJD is remanded as secondary to a low back disability. Service connection for right shoulder DJD, left shoulder DJD, right hand disability, and left hand disability is also remanded as secondary to a cervical spine disability.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinion. Service connection for skin disabilities is remanded due to incomplete records of private treatment.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU rating is inextricably intertwined with the other claims and must be deferred.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, finding that it is related to the Veteran's in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to a typographical error in the RO's September 2019 letter and an opportunity is provided for the appellant to submit any relevant treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete development and new evidence added since the last statement of the case.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple conditions has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding an effective date prior to June 15, 2009 for service connection of right elbow olecranon spur with osteoarthritis. The claim for an earlier effective date for ulnar neuropathy of the right upper extremity remains pending and will be adjudicated by the AOJ.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, cholesterol condition, back condition, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities as there was no evidence linking these conditions to service. The Veteran's claims were not granted due to lack of in-service incurrence or nexus.

The Board has remanded several claims due to the need for additional medical opinions and records. The issues include service connection for various conditions, with particular focus on neuropathy and hip conditions.

The Board has found that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service in Korea and is requesting additional development to verify this exposure. The claims for diabetes, diabetic retinopathy, lymphoma residuals, and neuropathy are being remanded due to the need for further investigation into the Veteran's exposure history.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy and its relation to service, particularly exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance of another person, but he does not meet the criteria for SMC based on housebound status.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated as 20 percent disabling, and the Board has found that a higher rating is not warranted. The PTSD claim is remanded for further examination and evaluation. TDIU is also remanded due to inextricably intertwined issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to his self-medication with alcohol, which he asserts is a symptom of his service-connected PTSD. The case requires additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran’s alcohol abuse disorder.

The Veteran's right upper extremity diabetic neuropathy and combined rating are remanded due to the need for a VA examination, additional private treatment records from Dr. Khan, and consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate prior to November 2, 2012, and from January 1, 2013 to August 5, 2019, as he did not meet the schedular requirements for SMC housebound benefits.

The Board dismissed the appeals regarding proposed reductions in ratings for peripheral neuropathy affecting both lower extremities as the proposed reduction was not implemented.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability was denied. The appeal to sever service connection for neuropathy, right lower extremity, and the appeals for service connection of right shoulder disability and high blood pressure were all denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to duty-to-assist errors and the need for VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction as secondary to diabetes mellitus, and bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to diabetes mellitus due to incomplete development regarding the Veteran's dates of service in Korea and exposure to herbicide agents.