Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee patellofemoral syndrome, left and right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy have been denied.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran’s right knee disability is not warranted due to limited flexion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and vocational experience.

The Veteran's initial compensable ratings for right and left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy affecting the sciatic nerve were granted, with a reduction to 10 percent effective July 2019. A higher rating of 40 percent was granted beginning June 3, 2019.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for Erectile Dysfunction, left upper extremity neuropathy, and right upper extremity neuropathy. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities or a relationship to service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection, compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151, and TDIU due to various issues including DMII, bilateral frozen feet, right foot surgery, and pes planus.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, finding a nexus between the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service and his current condition.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus type II (due to herbicide exposure), tinnitus, heart disability, hypertension, neuropathy of upper and lower extremities, psychiatric disorder, vision loss, and erectile dysfunction. The appeal is granted only in relation to the reopening of the claim for diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded to obtain outstanding records of VA and VA-authorized treatment, including scanned/VistA imaging records. The right knee increased evaluation claims are also remanded for an adequate medical examination.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including PTSD, ischemic heart disease, mantle cell cancer, diabetes mellitus with retinal involvement, and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy. The remand also includes a request for verification of in-service stressors and Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his service-connected right zygomatic fracture led to the development of clinical depression, which contributed substantially and materially to his death by asphyxiation.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy condition.,Service connection for retroperitoneal fibrosis and swollen testes is denied, while service connection for peripheral neuropathy is remanded.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for neuropathy of the right lower extremity (RLE) that is secondary to his already service-connected left lower extremity (LLE) neuropathy. Additionally, he seeks compensation under 38 U.S.C.§1151 for neuropathy of the RLE due to a December 1990 low back surgery. The Board has ordered another remand for further development and an independent medical opinion.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of peripheral neuropathy due to new and material evidence. However, the claim is remanded as there is insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's demyelinating polyneuropathy is related to his diabetes mellitus or herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for allergies (other than allergic rhinitis), chronic headaches, and a TDIU rating. The AOJ is required to obtain all relevant medical records from Atlanta Medical Center and Henry Allergy and Asthma Associates. Additionally, the AOJ must schedule a VA examination to determine if any neuropathy of the left lower extremity is related to her service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral lower extremity peripheral nerve disorder, including as due to herbicide exposure (Agent Orange), should be remanded for further development and medical opinion.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims for various types of nerve damage and amputation, as the Veteran passed away during the appeal process.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for polyneuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, as it is unclear whether the Veteran has a distinct neurological disability other than diabetic neuropathy.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetic neuropathy of the left upper, right upper, right lower, and left lower extremities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. Service connection was denied for erectile dysfunction due to lack of evidence linking it to active duty service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral peripheral neuropathy of common peroneal nerves due to service-connected right hip and/or back conditions for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance of another person is remanded due to inconsistencies in VA examination reports and treatment records, as well as a failure to obtain all relevant VA treatment records from Tucson and Prescott.