Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2020

The Veteran's initial increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, type II and PTSD have been dismissed.,The Veteran's service connection claims for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy (related to his service-connected diabetes) are granted. However, the claim for right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. Service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is denied as not proximately due or the result of a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for traumatic arthritis of the right knee, bilateral hearing loss, type II diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy have been denied.,No effective date has been assigned as all claims are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for essential tremors and peripheral neuropathy in both his right and left lower extremities as a result of exposure to herbicides, specifically Agent Orange. The case is sent back for an advisory medical opinion from an independent medical expert.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back disability, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The Board found that there was no evidence of a chronic low back disability during or shortly after service, and that any current low back condition is more likely due to a civilian injury in 1991. The Board also concluded that the Veteran's current peripheral neuropathies are not related to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to alleged exposure to herbicides at Fort McClellan, Alabama. The AOJ is instructed to attempt verification of the Veteran's claimed herbicide exposure and obtain any relevant medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for essential tremors and neuropathy (nerve damage left leg) as a result of exposure to herbicides, specifically Agent Orange. The claims will be further evaluated with VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and his frostbite conditions are found to be related to service. The claim for depression is also reopened, but the evidence does not support a finding of service connection. Claims for peripheral neuropathy and hypertension remain denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for neuropathy/radiculopathy of the left and right upper extremities as secondary to service-connected back disability due to incomplete development in a previous SSOC.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's daughter, K.J., is granted helpless child benefits on the basis of permanent incapacity for self-support before attaining the age of 18.

The Veteran's COPD and bladder cancer are not related to service, as there is no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after service. The Board finds that the Veteran has not provided sufficient medical evidence to support a direct relationship between his current disabilities and service.,PTSD was granted based on the Veteran's reported stressors in Vietnam, with the VA psychiatrist confirming the diagnosis.

The Board has granted service connection for right foot neuropathy, but the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is remanded due to a need for an addendum opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient rationale in the previous VA examination and issues related to the timing of the Veteran's diagnoses.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for muscular weakness and loss of control, dermatological or allergic disability of the hands, gastrointestinal disability, and neurological disability have been denied. The neurological claim is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to the need to review additional VA treatment records and examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for eye disability, hypertension (HTN), peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity due to herbicide exposure. The RO must issue a Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected, and his head disability (TBI), neck disability, low back disability, heart disability, type 2 diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction are denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to non-compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran's claims of service connection are being reviewed.

The Veteran's claims for kidney stone, erectile dysfunction, type II diabetes mellitus, primary open angle glaucoma and cataract of the right eye (claimed as bilateral blindness), peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities have all been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of a current disability for any of these conditions during or shortly after service.,The Veteran's STRs did not show any complaints or diagnoses related to any of these conditions.