Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2020

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, retinopathy, left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are all granted as service connected due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand. The hyperkeratotic lesion of the right foot is remanded for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities as secondary to diabetes mellitus, and chronic kidney disease. The claim for COPD is denied due to lack of a causal link between current symptoms and service.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability has been granted a rating of 10 percent, effective April 9, 2010. Service connection for peroneal neuropathy of the left lower extremity is also granted as secondary to the service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus Type II and bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities due to exposure to herbicide agents, as there is insufficient competent medical evidence to make a decision on these claims. The Veteran's contentions of exposure to herbicide agents have not been conceded by VA.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities.,The Board remanded the issue of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, COPD, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral feet due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active military service or exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran's current diagnoses were not shown in service or within one year after discharge.

The Board has granted special monthly compensation for loss of use of the left foot beginning September 30, 2016, due to service-connected disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete discussion of residual conditions and the applicability of recent amendments to rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development and medical inquiry.,Increased ratings are sought for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, neuropathy in both lower extremities, and degenerative joint disease in both knees.

The Veteran's service-connected type II diabetes mellitus resulted in diabetic peripheral neuropathy affecting both lower extremities. The Board granted separate ratings for the right and left lower extremities, with a 10 percent rating prior to October 5, 2019, and a 20 percent rating from that date onward.

The Veteran's hepatitis C has been granted a restoration of the 40 percent rating.,Ratings for peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities have been granted at 40 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been granted. The skin disability of the scalp claim was withdrawn, while bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction and bilateral cataracts, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were all granted. Increased ratings of 20 percent for both lower extremity peripheral neuropathies have been awarded.

The Board dismissed all claims due to the death of the appellant, as it has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these appeals at this time.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, PVD of the bilateral lower extremities, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction. The Veteran's claims were not granted as secondary to a service-connected condition or due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations were not conducted as per the January 2019 remand instructions and thus, the case is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has not provided a full examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy conditions, specifically whether they are related to herbicide exposure or service-connected prostate cancer. The case is therefore remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus and related peripheral neuropathy due to potential herbicide exposure in Okinawa, Japan. The Veteran's service records indicate possible aircraft exposures but no definitive evidence of Agent Orange exposure. Further development is needed to verify these allegations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment since August 28, 2009. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether he can secure and maintain such employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's neurological disability, specifically carpal tunnel syndrome and peripheral neuropathy. A new VA examination is needed.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction is currently rated at 10 percent, and the issues of increased ratings for diffuse sensorimotor neuropathy in both upper extremities prior to September 24, 2019 are being remanded.,For the right and left upper extremity diffuse sensorimotor neuropathy prior to September 24, 2019, the Veteran is rated at 20 percent. The issues of increased ratings for diffuse sensorimotor neuropathy in both lower extremities prior to June 22, 2017 are being remanded.