Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2020

The Board has denied service connection for a renal disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, erectile dysfunction, and ulcers of the feet. The decision also denies special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and procedural errors. The Veteran was not afforded VA examinations or access to his service treatment records, which are necessary to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as they do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that the condition did not manifest during or within one year of service and is not related to service.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed due to his request for withdrawal of all issues on appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to service or any incident in service, including asbestos exposure. The Board found that the Veteran’s CTS is more likely related to post-service work as a mechanic.

The Board denied service connection for skin condition, neurological disability, muscle pain, and fatigue as the evidence did not support a finding of an in-service injury or disease that caused these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities of the lumbar spine, cervical spine, left knee, right knee, right ankle, and peripheral neuropathy prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy was granted a disability rating of 40 percent beginning February 8, 2018. Prior to that date, the condition was rated at 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have any of the claimed conditions for VA purposes and therefore, service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy was reopened and granted. The initial rating for ischemic heart disease (IHD) prior to March 26, 2020, remains denied. A TDIU is granted effective April 14, 2016.,Issues related to pancytopenia, kidney disorder, and IHD are remanded.

The Veteran's initial ratings for diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction associated with diabetes, and hypertension associated with diabetes have been denied. Separate compensable ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities associated with diabetes are also denied.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus, bilateral lower extremities diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and residuals of prostate cancer are granted as service connected due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Veteran's left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was rated at a 10 percent prior to February 21, 2017.,A rating of 20 percent for the same condition from February 21, 2017, is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability was reopened and granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability (to include bursitis) was reopened and granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for CIPD due to exposure to Agent Orange was granted.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings or service connection for various conditions.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, eye condition, chronic liver disease, neurological conditions (including encephalopathy), Bell's palsy, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower and upper extremities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has granted service connection for upper left, lower left, upper right, and lower right extremity peripheral neuropathy due to active duty service. The evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to Agent Orange exposure during service.

The Board has granted service connection for left ulnar neuropathy and remanded the cases of left knee meniscal tear and right shoulder rotator cuff tear.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for non-ischemic cardiomyopathy and CHF, as well as his claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity. The appeals are currently pending.