Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, finding no evidence to support a diagnosis or relationship with military service. The claim for reopening of service connection for lumbar spine disability was granted due to new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and neuropathy. The case is now before the undersigned for further development.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his various conditions, including those related to his left leg thrombophlebitis with PVD.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral foot neuropathy due to cold weather exposure during service, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for tension headaches was denied as the evidence did not show very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.,The Veteran's anxiety disorder was rated at 50 percent, which is the highest schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 9413.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection are remanded due to inadequate examination reports. The Veteran needs new examinations to assess the severity of his ischemic heart disease, peripheral vascular disease (PVD), and peripheral neuropathy in the lower extremities.

The Board has found that the Veteran's hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities, and diabetic retinopathy of the left eye are related to herbicide exposure during service. However, due to insufficient nexus opinions provided by VA examiners, a remand is required for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records from his National Guard and Army Reserve periods of service. The claims will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is remanded due to changes in her service-connected disabilities and the need for a new examination to assess her employability.

The Board denied attorney fees for past-due benefits from the August 2018 rating decision granting a TDIU, as no NOD was filed on the issue of TDIU and the claim is considered part of an increased rating claim.

Service connection for Type II Diabetes Mellitus is granted. The Veteran's claims for service connection of peripheral neuropathy and GERD are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral foot peripheral neuropathy, finding that his current condition is etiologically related to his presumed exposure to herbicide agents during active service.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for right knee, bilateral hip, and neck conditions as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the right foot.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, gout, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, prostate disorder, thyroid disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and unspecified arthritis are being remanded due to additional evidence received since the August 2019 statement of the case. The AOJ will review this new evidence in its entirety before readjudicating the claims.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy of sciatic nerve have been granted initial ratings of 10 percent each, effective July 23, 2013.,Service connection for chronic renal disease was also granted with an effective date of October 8, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions.,Specifically, the knee and ankle claims require compliance with the Court’s holding in Correia, and the bilateral elbow and ulnar nerve neuropathy claims require new medical opinions.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of August 5, 1983 for the grant of service connection for sarcoidosis. The issues regarding effective dates for peripheral neuropathy are remanded.

The Board has dismissed all claims due to the Veteran's death. The appeals are not considered for merits as they have become moot.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting medical evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and a new advisory opinion is needed.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's spinal and nerve conditions due to outstanding VA treatment records and conflicting evidence regarding the nature and severity of his right lower extremity neuropathies.