Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is remanded due to incomplete information in his VA Form 21-2680 examination. The case requires a new examination to determine if he needs regular aid and assistance from another person due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, finding that it is related to his active duty service and presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with a previous remand, requiring another VA examination and nexus opinion from an appropriate VA medical provider.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of a rating in excess of 20 percent for neuropathy of the left lower extremity due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 50% from January 29, 2013. The Board has granted a higher rating for his right upper extremity scars and tinnitus. The case is remanded to determine if the Veteran should be awarded TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's diabetes is granted service connection due to herbicide agent exposure. His right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are also granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes. The central nervous system disorder, including essential tremor and Parkinson’s like symptoms, is remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to address the Veteran's claim for service connection for right leg sciatic neuropathy, including whether it is related to active service and whether it was caused by or aggravated by his service-connected fractured metatarsal heads.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for cracked femur and bilateral hip condition, but denied for DJD of the left knee, DDD of the lumbar spine, and skin rash. The Veteran is also remanded for additional development regarding his foot and ankle conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of VA examination and medical records, particularly regarding the Veteran's in-service arthritis diagnosis. The Veteran must be provided with another VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 9, 2017 for prostate cancer was denied.,Service connection for hypertension (HTN) and peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, right upper extremity, and left lower extremity were also denied.,There is no evidence of these conditions during service or within one year post-service. The Veteran's claims are based on direct service connection rather than a presumption due to exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened and granted. The appeal is denied for the remaining issues, including high cholesterol, melanoma, hypothyroidism, peripheral neuropathy, kidney disability, heart disability, lumbar degenerative arthritis, PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II, erectile dysfunction, and TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for type II diabetes mellitus, early-onset peripheral neuropathy, and chloracne or other acneform disease consistent with chloracne due to herbicide exposure. The decision is based on the need for additional development regarding whether the Veteran served within the 12 nautical mile territorial sea of the Republic of Vietnam (RVN).

The Board has granted service connection for multifocal motor neuropathy in all four extremities due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange during service. The Veteran's condition is found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating of PTSD was withdrawn, and his claim for SMC-AA or at housebound rate was denied due to lack of evidence showing he requires regular aid and attendance.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased ratings for bilateral peripheral neuropathy in the lower extremities and erectile dysfunction, as these issues have already been adjudicated by the Board.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, prostate condition, and peripheral neuropathy of various extremities due to exposure to herbicide agents while serving in Vietnam. The claims are being reviewed on a de novo basis as new evidence was provided by the enactment of the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019.

The Board has found that a new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, and also requested additional treatment records. The issues of TDIU have been raised as part of the claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates prior to May 23, 2013 for the 20 percent evaluations of his right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathies as secondary to his service-connected back disability have been denied.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.,The Veteran's colon cancer is granted as secondary to in-service exposure to herbicides.

The Board denied service connection for B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.