Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2020

The Veteran was unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to May 7, 2007 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's hypertension is not service-connected as it is not related to his active duty service, including exposure to herbicide agents.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is not service-connected as it is not secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has not fully addressed the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy in both upper extremities, secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II. The remand requires a new opinion from an appropriate clinician.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type 2 has required oral medication, insulin injections, and a restricted diet but not regulation of activities. The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for diabetes.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions provided were not sufficient to address the Veteran's claims for service connection. The Veteran is being remanded for additional evaluations and opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for multiple sclerosis, PTSD, peripheral neuropathy, neurogenic bladder, and depressive disorder have been reopened. The new evidence supports the reopening of these claims.,Service connection has not been established for hypertension, erectile dysfunction, or sleep apnea.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for irritable bowel syndrome, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the claims for a higher rating for bilateral lower extremity diabetic neuropathy, including consideration of special monthly compensation (SMC), and for entitlement to a TDIU prior to October 7, 2010.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral lower extremity and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, as secondary to service-connected conditions, due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development and uncompleted tasks.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange. The Veteran was exposed to herbicides during his service in Vietnam, and VA acknowledges this exposure. However, early-onset peripheral neuropathy is required for presumptive service connection under 38 C.F.R. § 3.307(a)(6)(ii). Given the Veteran's current diagnosis of lower extremity neuropathy and his contentions regarding Agent Orange exposure, a medical opinion is needed to address the etiology of his disability.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability and a right hip disability, finding no evidence of such disabilities during or related to active duty service.,Service connection was also denied for left upper extremity neurological disorder (claimed as neuropathy) and right upper extremity neurological disorder (claimed as neuropathy), with the case being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's diagnosed peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities is presumed to have been caused by his herbicide exposure in service.,The Veteran’s current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy of all four extremities is etiologically related to his service, specifically his Vietnam military service and direct exposure to Agent Orange for an extended length of time.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction is denied as the evidence does not support a link between his current condition and his active military service. The Board also found that he cannot secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, but did not grant TDIU as the schedular threshold was met.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to procedural errors in the original decision.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable rating criteria.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The Board found that there was no evidence of a direct or presumptive link between these disabilities and the Veteran's service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left upper extremity neuropathy, right upper extremity neuropathy, and left lower extremity neuropathy. The evidence did not support a current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand two issues: service connection for a left knee disability and service connection for ulnar neuropathy of the right upper extremity. These cases need additional development.

The Veteran's cataracts and upper and lower bilateral peripheral neuropathy are granted for accrued benefits purposes as secondary to his service-connected diabetes.,Service connection for hypothyroidism is denied, as it cannot be attributed to Agent Orange exposure or diabetes.