Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus and related secondary conditions due to insufficient evidence regarding herbicide exposure during service. The claims are inextricably intertwined with the primary issue of service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cardiovascular disability, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected right and left lower extremity neuropathy and neuroma are being remanded to the RO for further review of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities and an initial rating greater than 10 percent for degenerative arthritis, right knee due to additional development being necessary.

The Board has remanded the claims for neuropathy of the right upper extremity, residuals of traumatic brain injury, high blood pressure, and a skin disability to obtain additional VA treatment records and medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy in both feet as a result of herbicide exposure, but denied service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his TDIU claim is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to Agent Orange exposure, as well as his claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran is required to provide updated VA treatment records and a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of his neurological disabilities, including right carpal tunnel syndrome, possible left carpal tunnel syndrome, sensory disturbances of both feet, small fiber neuropathy, and peripheral neuropathy. He is also scheduled for an examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus type II, erectile dysfunction, right eye disability, prostate hypertrophy, and neuropathy of the right hand and left foot have all been denied. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, a kidney disability, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and glaucoma due to exposure to herbicide agents while aboard the USS Hollister.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and outstanding private treatment records. The issues are related to various conditions including actinic keratosis, atherosclerosis lower extremities, atrial fibrillation, basal cell carcinoma left and right cheek/right nose, cervical spine stenosis, chronic kidney disease stage 3, depression, erectile dysfunction, essential hypertension, left carotid stenosis, mixed hyperlipidemia, lumbar spinal stenosis, osteoarthritis, peripheral neuropathy, rheumatoid arthritis, and carotid artery stenosis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance, finding that the evidence did not show an actual requirement of personal assistance from others.,The Board also denied service connection for cause of death as there was no service-connected disability at the time of the Veteran's death. The appellant's claims were not supported by evidence showing a service-connected condition or contributing to the Veteran's death.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left foot lateral plantar nerve entrapment neuropathy due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and coronary artery disease (CAD), have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since May 20, 2013. The Board has granted TDIU from that date. However, prior to May 20, 2013, the Veteran did not meet the schedular requirements for TDIU.

The Board has denied the claim of service connection for hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus, finding that there is no medical evidence linking the disability to service.,The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for neurological impairment of the bilateral upper extremities and scars/tightness secondary to such impairment due to conflicting opinions on whether the Veteran's diabetes caused or aggravated these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to uncertainty about the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his military service, particularly at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base and Eglin Air Force Base. The AOJ is instructed to verify these alleged exposures.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his herbicide exposure, contributed to his cause of death. The VA must obtain a medical opinion to clarify this issue.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and remanded the remaining claims of low back disability, right knee disability, bilateral wrist disabilities, and bilateral finger neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, to include as due to exposure to herbicides. The case is being returned to the Board for further review after a Joint Motion granted in October 2019.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a new VA examination to assess his lumbar spine and lower extremity neuropathy conditions, as well as for authorization of private treatment records.