Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding no evidence of a current disability and noting that his symptoms do not fit a known diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of his bilateral lower extremities, as secondary to herbicide exposure. The Veteran was not properly notified of a scheduled VA examination and must be given another opportunity to undergo one.

The Board denied an increased initial rating in excess of 20 percent for left sciatic peripheral neuropathy, finding that the Veteran's condition was characterized by moderate incomplete paralysis and did not meet criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's service connection claims for aphasia, coronary artery disease, diabetes, glaucoma, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, left lower extremity, right upper extremity, left upper extremity, peripheral vascular disease of the right lower extremity, left lower extremity, right upper extremity, and left upper extremity are all denied.,The Veteran's service connection claim for prostate cancer is also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities to obtain addendum opinions addressing whether the Veteran's conditions are related to service, including exposure to herbicides. The examiner must address the likelihood that the conditions became manifest within a year after August 1969, or if they are otherwise related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and missing records, specifically regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is caused by his February 2013 right shoulder surgery.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but granted service connection for residuals of frostbite with bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.,Service connection was granted for the Veteran's cold weather injury residuals based on a preponderance of evidence in favor of their onset during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate development and examination. The issues of entitlement to compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right knee disability, and left knee disability are now before the Board.

The Board has remanded several issues related to HIV and its secondary effects, including renal disability, neuropathy in multiple extremities, cellulitis, and right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's service connection for these conditions is being reviewed due to new evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU due to insufficient evidence regarding the severity of his lumbar spine spondylosis. The case is returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence to support a relationship between these conditions and in-service VX nerve agent exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's lower back disability, including whether there was a superimposed injury or disease during service that resulted in additional disability of the back (to include peripheral polyneuropathy).

The Veteran's Parkinson’s disease and Type 2 diabetes mellitus have been granted service connection due to presumed exposure near the DMZ in Korea. The Veteran also has a 50% rating for PTSD, but his peripheral neuropathy and diabetic retinopathy claims are denied.,PTSD is currently rated at 50%, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including dementia, chronic pancreatitis, and various neuropathies. The SMC rating is at the P-2 level.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension is denied as the evidence does not show that his diastolic pressure has been predominantly 110 mm/Hg or more, or systolic pressure has been predominantly 200 mm/Hg or more at any point during the appeal period.

A rating of 40 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity (sciatica) is granted effective from September 11, 2015. A total disability rating for compensation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is also remanded.

The Veteran's diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is granted service connection, and his eye disorder is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety disorder is denied. The claims of service connection for prostatitis, diabetes mellitus, left lower extremity diabetic neuropathy, and right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy are remanded.

The application to reopen the claims for service connection for PTSD, dementia, PN LLE and PN RLE is granted.,Service connection for PTSD is granted. Service connection for PN LLE and PN RLE are denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypertension and neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities were denied as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service, including exposure to toxic herbicide agents.