Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, type II; coronary artery disease (CAD); peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities; thoracolumbar spine condition (back condition); and right knee degenerative joint disease (right knee condition) due to exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Veteran's military service in Vietnam is potentially relevant for these claims.

The Veteran's claims to reopen are being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a new examination.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is also being remanded as it may be related to his lumbar spine disability.,The Veteran's major depressive disorder is being remanded because more recent treatment records are needed, and a new examination is required due to the severity of his condition.,The Veteran's multilevel lumbar disc disease is being remanded for a new examination as it may have worsened since the last evaluation.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability is being remanded because an opinion on whether it is related to service-connected lumbar spine disability is needed.,The Veteran's bilateral hip and knee disabilities are also being remanded due to the need for medical opinions regarding their relationship to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.,The Veteran's right ankle disability is being remanded as a new examination is required, including an assessment of whether it is related to his in-service injury.,The Veteran's bilateral tarsal tunnel syndrome and lower extremity numbness are also being remanded for medical opinions on their relationship to service-connected lumbar spine disability.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded as more detailed information regarding the impact of his disabilities on his employment is needed.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for peroneal compression neuropathy of the right lower extremity is remanded due to a lack of recent examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's claimed exposure to Agent Orange in Okinawa during service.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as secondary to service-connected type II diabetes mellitus. Ratings of 40 percent, but not greater, are granted for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity and left lower extremity sciatic nerve, with ratings of 30 percent, but not greater, for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity and bilateral lower extremities.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, diabetic nephropathy, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange during military service.

The Veteran's hypertension was not found to warrant a compensable rating as the evidence did not show diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or greater.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus was denied due to lack of in-service onset and no evidence that it manifested within one year post-separation from service.,Peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities was found secondary to diabetes mellitus, which is not service-connected. The Veteran's back condition, bilateral knee condition, bilateral hip condition, and bilateral foot condition were also denied as they are not service-connected.,Service connection for a right wrist condition was denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a left arm condition is remanded due to the need for an examination and additional evidence.

The Board has dismissed all the Veteran's claims for service connection as they are related to his death. The appeals were not about exposure to herbicides or any other specific conditions.

The Veteran's request for service connection for hepatitis, ischemic heart disease, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities is not currently before the Board. The case will be returned to the Board after the AOJ issues an SSOC considering all relevant evidence.

The claims for service connection are being remanded due to insufficient information provided by the Veteran and incomplete records. The AOJ must verify if the Veteran served near the Korean DMZ, send a request to JSRRC, and document any findings.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU prior to May 8, 2001. The case is being remanded for further action by the Director of Compensation Service.

The Veteran's heart disability, squamous cell cancer of the head/neck with metastasis to the larynx, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities were not shown as chronic in service or within a presumptive period. The appeals for these conditions are denied.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's thoracic back strain, including service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities as secondary to his lumbar spine disability. The claims are also remanded for additional examinations to assess the severity of the Veteran's post traumatic headaches and right shoulder strain.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for ischemic heart disease, skin disability, and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy due to potential herbicide exposure. The RO is instructed to verify whether the Veteran served in the Republic of Vietnam and obtain any relevant medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for diabetes mellitus type II due to herbicide exposure. The Board has also found that additional VA examination and opinion are needed in order to address the nature and etiology of any peripheral neuropathy in the bilateral upper and lower extremities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus type II, chloracne, tinea pedis, and peripheral neuropathy of multiple extremities due to incomplete development and lack of evidence regarding in-service herbicide exposure.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, gout, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities as they were not shown to be related to service or herbicide exposure.,Service connection was also denied for hypertension, erectile dysfunction, loss of use of a creative organ, and skin condition.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms more nearly approximate occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent rating. The TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for private medical records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient development and need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed bilateral peripheral neuropathy.