Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2020

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the appeal for a higher rating remains pending.,Service connection for cataracts has been remanded due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding its relationship to service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records from private providers and VA, including a copy of the Goldman eye chart used for his October 2019 VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient verification of herbicide exposure. The Veteran must provide a more specific time frame and location for his claimed exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his lumbar spine disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder, rendered him unable to care for his daily needs, requiring the regular aid and attendance of another person. The Board granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for thoracic outlet syndrome and right wrist neuropathy due to potential aggravation by her service-connected de Quervain’s tenosynovitis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate VA medical opinions and missing translations of documents. The issues include service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral upper extremity cervical radiculopathy.

The Veteran's appeal regarding service connection for coronary artery disease, bilateral hearing loss, glaucoma, erectile dysfunction, prostate disability, skin rash (recurring skin sensation disturbance), and peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity is denied. The appeals are remanded to obtain additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for multiple myeloma and peripheral neuropathy due to potential exposure to herbicides during service. Further development is needed to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents, which specific ones he may have been exposed to, and whether his conditions are related to such exposures.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and bladder condition were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings at any point during the appeal period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back condition, right lower extremity neuropathy, and left lower extremity neuropathy. The evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions began during service or were related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for left and right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lower extremity diabetic ulcers has been remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left lower extremity neuropathy, right lower extremity neuropathy, and a skin disability. The Board also denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for coronary artery disease status post coronary artery graft.

The Board has recharacterized the issues on appeal as individual service connection claims. The Veteran's pending service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral flat foot, hypertension, chronic skin rash of the arms and neck, peripheral neuropathy, restless leg syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and cause of death are all remanded.,The Board has recharacterized the issues on appeal as individual service connection claims. The Veteran's pending service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral flat foot, hypertension, chronic skin rash of the arms and neck, peripheral neuropathy, restless leg syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and cause of death are all remanded.,The Board has recharacterized the issues on appeal as individual service connection claims. The Veteran's pending service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral flat foot, hypertension, chronic skin rash of the arms and neck, peripheral neuropathy, restless leg syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and cause of death are all remanded.,The Board has recharacterized the issues on appeal as individual service connection claims. The Veteran's pending service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral flat foot, hypertension, chronic skin rash of the arms and neck, peripheral neuropathy, restless leg syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and cause of death are all remanded.,The Board has recharacterized the issues on appeal as individual service connection claims. The Veteran's pending service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral flat foot, hypertension, chronic skin rash of the arms and neck, peripheral neuropathy, restless leg syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and cause of death are all remanded.,The Board has recharacterized the issues on appeal as individual service connection claims. The Veteran's pending service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral flat foot, hypertension, chronic skin rash of the arms and neck, peripheral neuropathy, restless leg syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and cause of death are all remanded.,The Board has recharacterized the issues on appeal as individual service connection claims. The Veteran's pending service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral flat foot, hypertension, chronic skin rash of the arms and neck, peripheral neuropathy, restless leg syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and cause of death are all remanded.,The Board has recharacterized the issues on appeal as individual service connection claims. The Veteran's pending service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral flat foot, hypertension, chronic skin rash of the arms and neck, peripheral neuropathy, restless leg syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and cause of death are all remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral shoulder disability and low back disability. The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral restless leg syndrome, peripheral polyneuropathy, and plantar fasciitis are remanded.,Service connection is not granted for the Veteran’s claimed conditions as there is no evidence of a nexus to service or continuity of symptomatology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, diabetic retinopathy, and bilateral lower extremity diabetic neuropathy as secondary to her service-connected major depressive disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence of a direct relationship between these conditions and her active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected type II diabetes mellitus with nephropathy.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus and bilateral plantar fasciitis, but has remanded the issues of diabetic foot ulcers and neuropathy, hammertoes, metatarsalgia, hallux valgus, and hallux rigidus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and impaired fasting glucose was granted. Service connection is also granted for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The remaining issues are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations to determine his employability prior to March 8, 2017.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in a previous medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral upper extremity condition is related to his service-connected shoulder disabilities. A new medical opinion is needed to address this issue.