Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of PTSD, diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD has been dismissed due to the withdrawal by the Veteran.,The claims for service connection for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have been reopened based on new evidence received since the November 2008 rating decision.,The claims for service connection for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, as well as skin disability, are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.,The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have made it impossible for him to secure or maintain gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for the entire period of appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy, and a low back condition. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to a lumbar spine disability is granted. The claims for initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, rating in excess of 60 percent for a lumbar spine disability, and a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to February 5, 2016 and in excess of 20 percent thereafter for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity are remanded.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for depression was reopened and granted. The effective date is July 16, 2013.,Service connection for tinnitus was denied. The Veteran did not submit evidence demonstrating current tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for residuals of frostbite and peripheral neuropathy have been granted, with the highest available rating (30%) being assigned.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding service connection for hypertension and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, as secondary to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type II, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower and upper extremities are granted.,Service connection is also granted for stroke, endarterectomy of the carotid artery, and peripheral artery disease of the lower extremities due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has granted reopening of the previously denied claims for service connection for hypertension and tinea pedis, but denied reopening of the claim for morbid obesity with reduced vital capacity. The Veteran's asthma is rated at 30 percent, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy associated with diabetes mellitus prior to June 25, 2014 is rated at 10 percent, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy associated with diabetes mellitus prior to June 25, 2014 is rated at 10 percent, and diabetic nephropathy is rated at 100 percent. The claims for increased ratings are all denied.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral knee disability, erectile dysfunction, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as they are not related to the Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with myositis.,There is no evidence showing that the Veteran's current conditions had their onset during service or are caused by his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's left radius fracture, status post open reduction internal fixation, is currently rated at 10 percent and the appeal for a higher rating has been denied.,The Veteran's left wrist strain is currently rated at 10 percent and the appeal for a higher rating has been denied.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted service connection. Service connection for scleroderma and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are granted, but a rating greater than 10 percent for type 2 diabetes mellitus and an initial compensable rating for left foot surgical scar remain denied.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine if new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection of diabetic retinopathy. The Veteran's claims for higher ratings, earlier effective dates, and TDIU are also remanded due to incomplete examinations.

The Veteran's right ankle disability was reduced from 20% to 10%, but the reduction is not proper. The RO has restored the 20% rating for the period between August 1, 2014 and December 18, 2014, and beginning March 1, 2015.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for IHD, DM II, Bladder Cancer, Renal Cell Carcinoma, and Bilateral Peripheral Neuropathy of the Lower Extremities due to exposure to herbicides (AO) and radiation.,A remand is required to determine if the Veteran had regular and repeated contact with C-123 aircraft known to have been used to spray an herbicide agent during the Vietnam era, as well as to verify his service at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, and at Clear Air Force Station in Alaska.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and obtaining relevant medical records.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity neuropathy and acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressive mood) are related to his service-connected vitamin B12 deficiency, but further examination is needed to determine if these conditions are aggravated by the service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cold weather injury of the bilateral upper extremities and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding no current disability related to these conditions.