Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2020

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion and a need for further examination. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is being reviewed again, with a focus on determining if it is related to service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates have been remanded due to the need for further development. The issues of service connection remain unresolved.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new examination of his service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity.

The Veteran's radiculopathy and neuropathy of the lower extremities are currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as the evidence does not support moderately severe incomplete paralysis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bronchitis, degenerative joint disease (DJD), and diabetes-related neuropathy, were denied. The Board found no current disability as claimed in any of these cases.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and diabetic nephropathy, have rendered him unable to perform his job as a security guard. The Board has ordered additional development of the record, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations to assess the functional impact of these conditions on employment.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's reported stressors are consistent with his service in Bosnia and that he experienced actual or threatened death or serious injury. The other claims have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran's representative.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbar spine disability, colon cancer, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities due to incomplete medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease with implanted cardiac pacemaker, unspecified depressive disorder, diabetes mellitus, obstructive sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and tinnitus, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. His TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and related peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are granted as service-connected due to exposure to herbicide agents during active duty.

The Veteran's TDIU rating is granted, effective from June 18, 2010, through June 13, 2012.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for left lower extremity neuropathy, but the case is remanded to consider the Veteran's TDIU claim in light of this grant and his other service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance due to concerns about updated VA examinations, particularly regarding a bilateral knee disorder. The examiner is requested to clarify whether this disorder is related to service-connected conditions or if it should be considered separately.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine, right shoulder, left shoulder, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and right wrist/hand disabilities due to lack of objective evidence showing these conditions within a year of separation from service. The Veteran's assertions that symptoms could be traced back to service were not credible given the long period since separation.

The Veteran's appeal for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a staph infection of the bone of the left ankle due to VA surgical treatment is dismissed as moot because service connection was granted for the same condition secondary to service-connected residuals of left ankle fracture.

The Board has determined that the original grants of service connection for Hodgkin's disease, CHF and pulmonary hypertension with tachycardia and automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ACID) placement, and peripheral neuropathy were clearly and unmistakably erroneous due to incorrect application of VA law and regulation.

The Board has granted service connection for psychosomatic ulnar neuropathy of the left upper extremity and a digestive disability, claimed as sprue (chronic diarrhea), both secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with conversion disorder.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension are granted as due to herbicide exposure during service.,Tinnitus is also granted as due to in-service noise exposure.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection of prostate cancer residuals, erectile dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, Type II, diabetic neuropathy of the right upper extremity, diabetic neuropathy of the right lower extremity, diabetic neuropathy of the left upper extremity, and diabetic neuropathy of the left lower extremity as there was no formal claim or intent to file a claim prior to June 10, 2019.

The Veteran's bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted as service connected due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his Vietnam service.