Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for neuropathy of the left and right upper extremities, as these conditions are claimed to be secondary to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's bilateral wrist carpal tunnel syndrome is not related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability, urinary incontinence, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and radiculopathy, depression, and residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI).,Service connection was not granted as the Veteran's current disabilities are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 8515.,The Veteran's hemorrhoids are currently rated as noncompensable. The VA examiner noted that the Veteran’s hemorrhoids do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left elbow fracture and associated ulnar neuropathy due to conflicting information in the records, particularly regarding whether his preexisting conditions were aggravated by service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ischemic heart disease, prostate cancer, low back disability with radiculopathy, testicular hypogonadism, and depressive disorder have been granted due to exposure to herbicide agents during his service at U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Force Base.,Service connection has also been denied for bilateral cataracts.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a grant of financial assistance for an automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only, as they do not result in loss or use of hands or feet.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's GERD is secondary to his service-connected residuals of a dog bite with left ulnar neuropathy, including NSAIDs use. The decision grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension are granted as presumptively due to herbicide agent exposure in Vietnam.,Right lower extremity and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are granted as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II. The heart condition is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA opinion to determine if any of the Veteran's current disabilities, including orthopedic residuals from his in-service left ankle injury and peripheral neuropathy, are related to that injury.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy (median), right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy (median), left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (sciatic), and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (sciatic) have been granted. The Veteran is now rated at 20 percent for each of the four conditions, with no higher ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II is found to be the proximate cause of his loss of use of a creative organ, peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, and chronic cough. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for early-onset peripheral neuropathy or were related to his presumed exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his exposure to herbicide agents and other chemicals during his time at Fort McClellan, Alabama. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's upper extremity disability is secondary to his service-connected diabetes.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of right upper, left upper, right lower, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as the Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, type II diabetes mellitus, and neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or any in-service exposure.,The Board also noted that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus related injury, event, or disease in service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and further development is needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities have been reopened, and their service-connected PTSD has been granted a 50% evaluation.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction is granted a 40 percent evaluation from February 15, 2018. The left lower extremity neuropathy is granted a 10 percent evaluation prior to September 26, 2019 and denied in excess of 20 percent thereafter. The right lower extremity neuropathy is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus the Board has granted TDIU.