Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, hypertension, polyneuropathy, and erectile dysfunction due to in-service herbicide exposure. The conditions are presumed as the Veteran served in Thailand during a period that qualifies as Vietnam era service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment as of April 26, 2016. The Board granted an effective date of April 26, 2016 for the TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including back disability, right leg sciatica, left leg sciatica, hip disabilities, ankle and foot disabilities, respiratory issues, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy have been denied as the evidence does not establish a link between these conditions and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, secondary to service-connected type II diabetes mellitus have been fully granted in a February 2019 rating decision. As such, there are no remaining issues of entitlement.

The Board has granted service connection for deep peroneal nerve neuropathy, chronic ankle sprain, degenerative arthritis of the tibiotalar joint, hallux valgus, hallux rigidus, and chevron bunionectomy with left foot and ankle reconstruction.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for PTSD and peripheral neuropathy was granted. The rating for PTSD remains at 50 percent, while the ratings for both lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were raised to 30 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral hip condition, finding that the Veteran's current bilateral hip condition is aggravated by his service-connected lower back condition.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerve was also granted as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hip condition.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The issues of service connection for erectile dysfunction, prostate cancer with voiding dysfunction, proctitis, and TDIU are moot as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran was granted an initial evaluation of 40 percent for peripheral neuropathy in the left lower extremity.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities was granted. Service connection for gout and right ear hearing loss were denied.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right and left feet prior to October 26, 2016 were denied. Beginning October 26, 2016, his evaluations were increased to 40 percent.,Service connection for a back disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further consideration of new evidence, including a claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of bilateral feet due to cold injury.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension have been granted. The claims for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are remanded.

The Board has found that additional development is needed regarding the Veteran's claimed exposure to herbicides in Korea and outstanding treatment records. A VA examination will be scheduled to clarify diagnoses and address etiology.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is related to his service, specifically his presumed exposure to herbicide agents during active service and/or his service-connected prostate cancer.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetic retinopathy as the Veteran does not have this condition at any time during the period of his claim.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, fatty liver disability, melanoma, and peripheral neuropathy of multiple extremities due to potential exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran's service aboard USS Hancock in Vietnam territorial waters is being verified.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was granted ratings of 20 percent, but no higher, prior to August 21, 2019, and 40 percent, but no higher, from that date onward.,The Veteran’s nephrosclerosis with hypertension is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is granted as service connected due to exposure to Agent Orange. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right and left leg/foot are remanded for further evaluation.