Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2020

The Board has denied service connection for Parkinson's disease, diabetes mellitus type II, and nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy with senile cataracts and refractive error as the evidence does not support a nexus to military service.

The Board dismissed all the claims as the appellant died during the appeal process.

The Veteran's service-connected primary open angle glaucoma required the aid and attendance of another person from May 21, 2014. SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is granted effective that date.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and its relationship to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including bilateral eye disability and shoulder disabilities, were denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The earliest post-service records of the claimed disabilities are over four decades after discharge from active duty.

The Board denied service connection for cataracts, hypertension, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and seizure disorder as not related to military service or service-connected conditions.,Service connection was also denied for a rating of total disability based on individual unemployability from December 26, 2011 to August 14, 2019.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records and further examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further action on issues related to increased ratings and earlier effective dates for service-connected conditions.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of sleep apnea or intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) and therefore denied service connection for these conditions. The Board also found that there is no nexus between the Veteran's in-service tailbone injury and his current IVDS, thus denying service connection for IVDS. Service connection was remanded for bilateral lower extremity neuropathy and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence on whether the Veteran's current numbness in her hands is related to service. The VA examiner needs to provide an opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran’s hand numbness and its relation to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea syndrome, diabetes, and peripheral neuropathies of the extremities are remanded due to incomplete development regarding potential exposure to herbicide agents during his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, along with other conditions, renders him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,Specifically, the Board is requesting that SSA provide any underlying medical records used in their March 2012 decision on the Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy claim.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but not higher. The diabetes mellitus rating was increased to 40 percent effective from August 3, 2010.,Right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are both rated at 20 percent throughout the appeal period.,Sinusitis is currently rated as noncompensable. Tinnitus has already reached its maximum schedular rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy due to conflicting medical opinions and open questions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development on multiple issues, including PTSD, lumbar spine disability, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have service-connected residuals of ruptured ear drum, neuropathy of the upper extremities, or a lumbar spine disorder. The claims for these conditions are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for scar, right knee was denied in a February 2012 rating decision. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim.,Initial ratings of 40 percent and 30 percent were denied for left breast cancer, status post mastectomy, and prophylactic right mastectomy respectively. The Veteran's scars associated with her bilateral mastectomies are rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left foot numbness, diagnosed as Morton’s neuroma with neuropathy, is not related to his military service or a service-connected disability. Therefore, he cannot be granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2, with erectile dysfunction is rated at the minimum level of disability. The peripheral neuropathy in his upper and lower extremities are also rated at their lowest levels.