Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, type 2 diabetes mellitus, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, sleep disorder (obstructive sleep apnea), acquired psychiatric disorders (PTSD, anxiety disorder, depressive disorder), right knee degenerative joint disease, left knee degenerative joint disease, right hip degenerative joint disease, left hip degenerative joint disease, right foot degenerative joint disease, and hypertension.,The Board found no evidence of in-service noise exposure for hearing loss or Agent Orange exposure for diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's service records did not document Vietnam service.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension. The claims of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left foot, right foot, left hand, and right hand are also denied. Service connection is remanded for hypertension.

The Board has granted service connection for left ulnar neuropathy and remanded the cases of right-hand disability, left-hand disability (other than ulnar neuropathy), and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, diagnosed as depressive disorder, is granted due to its increase in severity being proximately due to his service-connected disabilities. His tinnitus and basal cell carcinoma are not related to service or any incident therein. The voiding dysfunction, DM2 with hypertension and erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities and lower extremities, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma have been found to aggravate his depressive disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the feet and onychomycosis, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to military service.

Service connection for diabetes mellitus and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is denied.,A separate disability rating of 10 percent, but no higher, for right lower extremity radiculopathy since December 19, 2019 is granted.

The Board granted restoration of a 20 percent rating for lumbar spine disability effective November 9, 2012.,The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity prior to and from November 9, 2012 is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left and right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy prior to May 26, 2016, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation based on incomplete paralysis.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted with a rating of 50 percent, effective October 19, 2017. The ratings for diabetes mellitus type II and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral feet remain denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, neuropathy, and sleep apnea are denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current disabilities and his military service. The claim for an increased rating for tinnitus is also denied as the maximum schedular evaluation has been assigned.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal as all claims for service connection have been granted in full, and no further issues remain.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back disability, eye disability secondary to diabetes mellitus type II, and bilateral peripheral neuropathy secondary to diabetes mellitus type II due to incomplete service records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has denied a higher rating for the Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and remanded the issues of service connection for cervical radiculopathy and TDIU.

The Veteran's left ulnar neuropathy with CTS of the left upper extremity is granted a 40 percent evaluation, effective from when his claim was filed.

The Board has granted service connection for alcohol use disorder as secondary to PTSD, and the issues of peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to the Veteran's failure to appear at scheduled VA examinations. The issues of rating excessively in disability ratings and service connection for low back disability are being returned to the RO for additional examination and review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity neuropathy, including as due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran was exposed to herbicides while serving aboard a ship in the territorial sea of Vietnam.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted as service-connected.,Ischemic heart disease was denied due to lack of evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer, have been granted effective May 30, 2008. The claims for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and erectile dysfunction are also effective from this date.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including hypertension and coronary artery disease. The cases are being returned for additional examinations and medical opinions regarding these conditions.