Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, migraines, PTSD, and bilateral hearing loss have been denied as the evidence does not establish a direct link to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy in all four extremities, as due to herbicide agent exposure. The decision is pending and more information from VA treatment records is needed.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type I was granted service connection. The remaining issues of secondary service connection for various complications are remanded.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity neuropathy, peroneal nerve due to lack of timely filing of a substantive appeal.,The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for status post fracture of the right ankle as his disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation. The RO was directed to schedule a VA examination, but the Veteran failed to attend and no rescheduling request has been received.,The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities as he did not meet the percentage standards set forth in 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a).

The Veteran's sensory polyneuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, COPD, and hypertension are being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding their relationship to in-service herbicide exposure. The service connection for PTSD is also being remanded with regard to these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities has been denied increased ratings in excess of 20 percent for the period prior to April 4, 2019, and in excess of 40 percent from April 4, 2019 through the present.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of renal insufficiency is denied. The claim for a higher initial rating prior to January 16, 2014 and entitlement to TDIU prior to that date are also denied.

The Veteran's claim for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment is granted. The Veteran's claim for SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(k) for loss of use of the left foot prior to March 31, 2015 is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted for coronary artery disease, type II diabetes mellitus, and erectile dysfunction. The claim for basal cell/squamous cell carcinoma has not been granted due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.,Service connection is also granted for a bilateral nerve condition of the lower extremities (peripheral neuropathy) secondary to type II diabetes mellitus.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the spine, back spasms, shoulder arthritis, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities. The claims are being remanded to further develop evidence related to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and peripheral neuropathy due to diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents at Fort Gordon is unclear, and a new formal finding must be issued.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are as likely as not related to his in-service herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to have aggravated his obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which has been granted as secondary to the service-connected PTSD. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development and need for a new medical opinion regarding the Veteran's Raynaud’s disease.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's left upper extremity disability, including tremors and tingling in his fingers. The examiner is required to provide an addendum opinion addressing these issues.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy in the upper extremities and a TDIU determination. The Veteran's claim was based on his contention that he developed these conditions during service, but the evidence did not support this claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are granted. Service connection is established for PTSD, acquired psychiatric disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, diabetes mellitus type II, and basal cell skin carcinoma. The claim for right ear hearing loss is remanded due to lack of recent VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical strain, left elbow ulnar neuropathy, right knee flexion, and right wrist synovitis have been denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and its secondary conditions due to potential exposure to herbicide agents during his military service. The AOJ is instructed to determine if the USS Kitty Hawk was within 12 nautical miles offshore of Vietnam at any time during the period from August 15, 1965, to May 28, 1967, when the Veteran was aboard. If so, an addendum opinion must be obtained regarding whether his vascular disease and cataracts are secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II.