Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy and ischemic heart disease due to new evidence received since the last final rating decision. The Veteran's LUE peripheral neuropathy was diagnosed in September 2013, while his ischemic heart disease claim is related to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Veteran's service-connected left hand disability, diagnosed as left ulnar neuropathy due to nerve damage from an in-service laceration, is granted a 30 percent evaluation for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection related to fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, a musculoskeletal condition, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and arthritis of the pelvis are remanded due to insufficient VA medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is about the calculation of past-due benefits due to a February 2019 rating decision that granted service connection for right median neuropathy and TDIU. The Board has decided to remand this issue as VA did not properly calculate the amount owed.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities are granted increased disability ratings. Service connection for renal dysfunction secondary to diabetes mellitus type II is also granted.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including sleep apnea, liver disorder, gout, residuals of mini-strokes, PN of the bilateral lower extremities, and prostate cancer. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

Service connection for coronary artery disease is granted. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a separate rating for neuropathy of the lower extremities as secondary to service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and denied his claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board found no evidence of current neurological disorders in the Veteran's lower extremities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral lower extremity and upper extremity peripheral neuropathy due to exposure to burn pits in Korea. The Veteran's claim is reopened based on new evidence, but a VA examination is needed to determine if the conditions are related to service.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The claims for emphysema and sleep apnea are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions. The claim for neuropathy of the lower extremities is also remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding presumptive exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since December 1, 2009. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on unemployability (TDIU) for this period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral pes planus, left sensory neuropathy of the sural nerve, degenerative arthritis of the spine, left ankle sprain, and pseudofolliculitis) preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation for the period prior to October 19, 2016.

The Board denied service connection for memory loss, secondary to residuals of subtotal transsphenoidal resection of benign pituitary macroadenoma. The Board also denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and tinnitus due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for benign prostatic hypertrophy, erectile dysfunction, cataracts, upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathies, fibromyalgia, malaria, and right knee disorder due to incomplete service treatment records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to lumbar spine degenerative disc disease. The claims for hypertension, DM, acquired psychiatric disorder, symptomatic paroxysmal atrial flutter, glaucoma, left and right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy, and right knee strain are all remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for peripheral neuropathy due to carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or similar instance of fault on the part of VA.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus. The claims for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities are remanded due to a need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee, back, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, bilateral upper and lower extremity radiculopathy, headache disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) due to additional development being required.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further action due to incomplete secondary service connection opinions and need for additional VA treatment records. The case will be returned for a determination on whether his peripheral nerve disability is caused or aggravated by his service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower and upper extremities, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated by active service, including presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.