Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for service connection and secondary service connection are being remanded due to the inadequacy of a July 2016 VA opinion regarding bilateral hearing loss, diabetes, heart disorder, left leg tumor, prostate cancer, vision disorder, peripheral neuropathy, and sleep apnea. The Board will seek verification of herbicide agent exposure in Korea and obtain an addendum opinion from an audiologist to address the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities as secondary to diabetes mellitus. The other issues on appeal have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for automobile or adaptive equipment, special monthly compensation based on housebound status or the need for aid and attendance, and service connection for a skin disorder other than dermatophytosis or tinea versicolor have been dismissed.,An effective date earlier than March 12, 2010 for the assignment of a 20 percent rating for residuals of a left foot fracture has not been granted. The Veteran's claim remains on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting evidence regarding when and how the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy began during service or within one year after service, including any potential herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various peripheral neuropathy and right-hand disorders have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal. The appeal for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, as well as the claims for increased evaluations for hypertension and asthma, are remanded.

The Veteran's left arm neuropathy and left ear hearing loss have been granted as secondary to his service-connected hypertension.,However, the Veteran's increased disability rating for hypertension has been denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower and upper extremities are being remanded due to insufficient evidence.,Additional medical opinions are needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to unclear assessment of nerve involvement and need for a VA examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, right upper extremity neuropathy, and anxiety as there is no current disability in any of these conditions that meets VA criteria.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasons for denying TDIU, and referred it back to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, both presumed due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's current diagnoses are supported by medical records, and his claims are based on presumptive service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to May 26, 2017. The evidence does not show that his disabilities were severe enough to preclude him from all forms of employment.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for the left inguinal nerve injury and residual scar, status post left inguinal hernia repair is denied. However, a 10 percent rating is granted for ilio-inguinal neuropathy throughout the period on appeal. The spine claim is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The appeals are REMANDED as there is insufficient evidence to decide these claims at this time.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for dementia has been granted. The issues of service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and severance of service connection for right knee instability have been remanded. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU) has also been remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology and aggravation of the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy, particularly in relation to his service-connected back disability.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, respiratory disability (COPD), and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. The VA examiner must provide an addendum opinion addressing the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss, RLE peripheral neuropathy prior to September 6, 2016, and LLE peripheral neuropathy prior to September 6, 2016 have been withdrawn. The Board has dismissed these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.