Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, ischemic heart disease (IHD), Parkinson’s disease, erectile dysfunction (ED), and bilateral upper/lower extremity neuropathy have all been denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of in-service injury or event related to these conditions.,The Veteran's claims were not granted as secondary service connection for ED and neuropathy due to diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for upper right and left extremity peripheral neuropathy due to a lack of opinion regarding whether these conditions are related to diabetes mellitus or ischemic heart disease.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease and peripheral neuropathy, both of which were presumed to be due to exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange).,The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was reduced from a 50% rating to a 30% rating, but the 50% rating is restored.

The Veteran is eligible for a certificate of eligibility for specially adapted housing due to his service-connected disabilities that preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, canes and/or a wheelchair.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require regular aid and attendance, warranting special monthly compensation based on the need for the aid and attendance of another person.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for left thumb MCP joint disorder, right hand peripheral neuropathy (claimed as right-hand pain), and right arm tennis elbow due to a lack of VA treatment records from Brooklyn VAMC. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Board has denied the Veteran's TDIU claim due to his service-connected disabilities not precluding him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The appeal is remanded for further development regarding SMC entitlement.

The Veteran's back condition is denied as not related to service.,The Veteran's right upper extremity CTS with median nerve compressive neuropathy does not meet the criteria for a rating greater than 30 percent.,The Veteran's left upper extremity CTS s/p carpal tunnel release with residual scar does not meet the criteria for a rating greater than 20 percent.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected degenerative disc disease. Other claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate etiology opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral leg neuropathy and pes planus. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to January 18, 2008. From January 18, 2008 onward, the Board finds that his service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and examination, as well as for obtaining information from the Veteran regarding any head trauma he experienced during service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and diabetic neuropathy are granted as service connected due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his Vietnam Era service.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before a decision on the merits may be made, and thus remands the case for an addendum opinion to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's idiopathic peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities has been granted, with a rating of 40 percent. The effective date for this grant is not specified as it was received within one year of discharge.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not render him incapable of securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities has been granted a 20 percent evaluation for the entire appeal period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left leg neuropathy and bilateral shoulder disorder, including as due to a service-connected lumbosacral spine disability. The evidence did not support a diagnosis of left leg neuropathy or an etiological link between the claimed conditions and active service.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The decision is based on the presumption that veterans who served in Vietnam during the specified period were exposed to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records from various providers.

The Veteran's right ankle condition is rated at 10 percent, and the Board has remanded for further examination to determine if it warrants a higher rating.,Service connection for left lower peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide agent exposure and secondary to service-connected right ankle condition is denied. The Veteran's bilateral lower peripheral neuropathy is not presumed to be related to his in-service herbicide exposure, but the Board has remanded for further examination to determine if it is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected right ankle condition.,Service connection for right lower peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide agent exposure and secondary to service-connected right ankle condition is denied. The Veteran's bilateral lower peripheral neuropathy is not presumed to be related to his in-service herbicide exposure, but the Board has remanded for further examination to determine if it is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected right ankle condition.