Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for right lower extremity neuropathy and chronic peptic ulcer disease, finding no current disability due to disease or injury.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment for the period prior to July 26, 2019.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and related complications are remanded for further evaluation, including a new examination to assess the current severity of his condition. Additional VA treatment records must be obtained.

The Veteran's hypertension, tension headache disability, and PTSD have been granted service connection. The Veteran's sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and CRPS secondary to trigger finger release are being remanded for further development.,TDIU and SMC issues are also remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the above-mentioned increased rating and service connection issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity, and right wrist disability, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, as well as erectile dysfunction, all secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, Type 2.

The Board denied service connection for neuropathy of the left lower extremity, right lower extremity, left upper extremity, and right upper extremity as not related to service or herbicide exposure.,The Board also denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for coronary artery disease, coronary angioplasty with stent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, neuropathy, basal cell carcinoma, and heart condition. The issues are related to alleged herbicide agent exposure during service in Korea.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to a lack of VA examinations and records. The Veteran's disabilities are related to service, but more evidence is needed.

The Veteran's bilateral hand disorders, including osteoarthritis, Dupuytren's contracture, and peripheral neuropathy, are being remanded for additional medical opinions to determine if they are aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension, as well as the relationship between in-service weight gain and these conditions. The peripheral neuropathy claim is also remanded because it is inextricably intertwined with the diabetes mellitus type II claim.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus type II and diabetic peripheral neuropathy due to worsening symptoms since his last VA examination in September 2017. The Veteran is required to provide updated medical records, including from Dr. O’Neil and Dr. Kohlenberg.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to December 9, 2019 and in excess of 40 percent thereafter for right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's back disorder, left lower extremity neuropathy, and right lower extremity neuropathy were not service connected as they did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period or are otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran does not have any service-connected disabilities that would qualify him for TDIU.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for rectal cancer and secondary service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, finding that there is insufficient evidence to establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate efforts by VA in obtaining his private medical records. The Veteran is required to provide updated, legible forms and VA must attempt to obtain all relevant treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral leg disability, finding that the claimed condition is not related to any service-connected disability and is not otherwise related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) as it is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and related peripheral neuropathy are granted as presumptively related to herbicide exposure in Thailand.,The Veteran's hypertension is also granted as presumptively related to herbicide exposure in Thailand. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction and voiding dysfunction, as well as his bilateral eye conditions (cataracts and diabetic retinopathy) are all secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence linking the condition to his military service or a service-connected disability.