Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper, left upper, right lower, and left lower extremities due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during active duty in Vietnam.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, due to presumed herbicide exposure. The claims of service connection for hypertension, erectile dysfunction, a skin disorder, and neuropathy are remanded as additional evidence is needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. The claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, secondary to diabetes mellitus, is remanded.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities are granted as service connected due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents, specifically Agent Orange.,Service connection is established for the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II based on presumptive exposure to Agent Orange. His peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities is also service-connected due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination, specifically regarding service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the hands (claimed as secondary to dermatitis) and a heart disorder. The Veteran's claims are not related to exposure to herbicides or other specific environmental exposures.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right foot neuropathic ulcer, and amputation of the right fifth toe are all granted as service-connected due to presumed herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran's service connection claims for peripheral neuropathy, COPD, anemia, and hypertension have been granted. The claim for back disability is remanded.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is granted as service connected due to herbicide exposure. The issues of hypertension, erectile dysfunction, neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and tinnitus are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's service connection claims for multiple myeloma, peripheral neuropathy of the lower and upper extremities, skin disability, heart disability, and prostate disability are all denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities due to potential herbicide exposure in Vietnam. Additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran served within the territorial waters of Vietnam or at a distance that would qualify him for presumptive service connection.

Your right eye disability was previously granted service connection in a November 2019 rating decision, making this appeal moot.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims for service connection, including those involving type II diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, diabetic nephropathy, a right ankle condition, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities. The remand requires additional development such as verifying herbicide exposure, scheduling VA examinations, and obtaining further evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected right and left upper extremity diabetic neuropathy due to inextricably intertwined issues, including entitlement to SMC benefits.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for a slipped disc in the lower back and bilateral neuropathy in the lower extremities with claimed nerve damage.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing, automobile or adaptive equipment grants, or special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance due to his inability to use both upper extremities effectively.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting VA medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the feet is secondary to his service-connected bilateral foot disabilities. The issue of service connection for a low back disability has also been referred to the AOJ.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cold weather injuries to the lower and upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran's service connection claims are being reviewed due to potential exposure during active duty.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of service connection for left lower extremity neuropathy, right ear hearing loss disability, and prostate cancer. The Veteran's LLE neuropathy claim will be remanded to allow for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy, specifically whether it is related to in-service herbicide exposure or illicit drug use.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is granted service connection based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The issues of service connection for an eye disorder, hypertension, skin condition, neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and neuropathy of the right lower extremity are remanded due to unclear etiology.