Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including heart murmur, diabetes mellitus type II, right wrist condition, left knee neuropathy, right knee neuropathy, left leg neuropathy, and right leg neuropathy. The decision is based on the lack of evidence showing a direct relationship to service or secondary to other service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition and neuropathy, as these conditions are claimed to be related to his service-connected bilateral pes planus. The case is being returned to the Board for further examination and medical opinions.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) was denied, and the Board has remanded the issues of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is remanded due to inadequate medical opinion regarding herbicide exposure.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity is also remanded due to inadequate medical opinion regarding herbicide exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to Camp Lejeune environmental exposure, finding that the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's condition was caused by his exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow gainful employment, and the Board denies his claim for a TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis, meningitis to include as secondary to sinusitis, and encephalopathy to include as secondary to sinusitis. The remaining claims of service connection are remanded due to the possibility that they may be related to the Veteran's service-connected meningitis.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional development, including referral to VA’s Director of Compensation and Pension service for consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has denied increased ratings for service-connected left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that the Veteran's symptoms do not warrant a rating in excess of 40 percent. The effective date for the increase in evaluation is set at April 11, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions alone did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to July 9, 2015. His TDIU claim was denied as his disabilities were at 60% combined and did not meet the regulatory threshold for total disability rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral eye disability, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and peripheral neuropathy of the face due to incomplete records. Relevant SSA and private treatment records need to be obtained.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on a need for aid and attendance or due to being housebound was denied. The Board has decided the case should be remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding his functional limitations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and bilateral neuropathy of the feet, finding no evidence of herbicide exposure during service and insufficient medical evidence to link these conditions to service.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, as well as low back disability. The claim for service connection for these conditions is granted due to new evidence showing a link between the Veteran's current symptoms and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for Meniere’s syndrome, right hip bursitis, right knee condition, back condition, and left lower extremity neuropathy with residuals to allow for further evaluation by VA examiners.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine, left shoulder, and bilateral foot disabilities. Service connection was also denied for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents.,There is no evidence linking these conditions to service or to any in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the case for additional examination and opinion regarding service connection for a bilateral upper extremity peripheral nerve condition, including as due to Agent Orange exposure. The Veteran's claims are related to his reported numbness in service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection related to diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, and heart transplant are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence. The Veteran is presumed exposed to herbicide agents in Thailand during his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for numbness in his hands and feet, as well as an increased rating for ischemic heart disease with paroxysmal cardiac arrhythmia (also diagnosed as valvular heart disease with septal infarct) associated with herbicide exposure, are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Type II diabetes mellitus and its complications, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted entitlement to TDIU.