Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2020

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for initial compensable ratings for cholecystectomy and right upper and mid quadrant scars, as well as service connection for diabetes, diabetic neuropathy of the bilateral lower and upper extremities, sickle cell anemia, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a prostate condition. The claims are dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, finding that there is no evidence linking his current conditions to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is related to his active duty service, including herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and evaluations. The issues of entitlement to specially adapted housing and a special home adaptation grant are inextricably intertwined with his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's initial 20 percent rating for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity is granted, subject to regulations governing the payment of monetary awards.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his cervical spine disability and peripheral neuropathy of all extremities, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to April 23, 2008.

The Board has denied service connection for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, kidney condition, diabetic neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, and eye condition. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to active service or exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board denied service connection for a neck condition, diabetes mellitus, Type II, peripheral neuropathy of the right foot, peripheral neuropathy of the left foot, soft tissue sarcomas, and prostate cancer. The evidence did not establish exposure to herbicide agents in service or a nexus between these conditions and active duty.,The Board found that there was no evidence of chronic neck disability within one year after discharge from service, nor any indication of such condition during service. There is also no medical evidence linking the current disabilities to service.

The Board denied entitlement to Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) on the basis of service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death due to septic shock resulting from acute respiratory failure, healthcare-associated pneumonia, and systolic heart failure. The Board found that there was no evidence linking a service-connected disability to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various conditions, including cervical spine strain, prostate cancer, peripheral neuropathy, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, a chronic disability manifested by nausea, dizziness, hot flashes, and loss of appetite, incontinence, and impotence. The remand requires further development regarding the Veteran's alleged exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Board denied service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension with headaches, skin cancer on shoulders, back and face, bilateral eye disability (cataracts and diabetic retinopathy), peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, porphyria cutanea tarda, and coronary artery disease. The reasons were that there was no evidence to support these conditions being related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for acid reflux and migraine headaches, both linked to PTSD. Service connection was denied for melanoma, diabetes, prostate disorder, bilateral upper and lower extremity neuropathy.,Service connection is not established for melanoma due to lack of a current diagnosis.

The Board denied a higher initial rating of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, finding that the Veteran's condition required only restricted diet and an oral glycemic agent during the period on appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and to obtain Social Security Administration (SSA) and private treatment records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's request to restore a 30% evaluation for residuals of left ankle sprain tarsal tunnel syndrome with sural neuropathy, finding that his disability materially improved and was expected to be maintained under ordinary conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including pneumonia, right knee disability, sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathies, and other disabilities, have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for any of these conditions.,Service connection was not granted because there is no medical evidence linking the current diagnoses to service or secondary to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's sinusitis, PVD of the lower extremities, and peripheral neuropathy were not found to be related to service or service-connected conditions. The Board denied all claims.

The Board has denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities, finding that there is no current diagnosis of diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The appeal was remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding hypertension and sleep disorder.,The Veteran's total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities remains in dispute.

The Veteran's intractable headaches and peripheral neuropathy are not service-connected as they did not develop during or as a result of his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II; polyneuropathy of the left and right lower extremities; and coronary artery disease due to herbicide agent exposure in Thailand. The Veteran's claims are denied as he did not meet the criteria for secondary service connection.