Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2020

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity neuropathy as there is no evidence of herbicide exposure or a diagnosis within one year after separation from service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records from Aultman Hospital.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was not granted an increased rating in excess of 10 percent prior to February 16, 2012. The issue of a higher rating for the right upper extremity disability is still pending and will be remanded.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy may be related to his service at Camp Lejeune, but needs further examination and review of submitted documents.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with diabetes mellitus, type II and its associated peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities as well as amputation of the right leg below the knee being found to be related to his in-service herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinion regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral peripheral neuropathy is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding service connection for sleep apnea, including whether it is related to PTSD, diabetes, and/or peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran's representative provided additional medical literature that suggests a possible link between PTSD and sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that there is at least equipoise evidence to support the Veteran's claim of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral feet, and thus grants the claim.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed peripheral neuropathy disabilities, including whether they are related to his in-service exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed due to the mootness of the skin disorder claim. The remaining issues were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link between the claimed conditions and military service.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for coronary artery disease is granted at a 60 percent rating prior to March 23, 2018.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to service-connected disabilities is granted.,Service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of bilateral upper extremities is granted.,Service connection for lumbar spine disability is denied.,Total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted from July 29, 2013.

The Veteran's upper extremity peripheral neuropathy and cervical spine degenerative disc disease disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation due to recent assertions of increased severity.

The Veteran's urinary tract infection claim was dismissed as she withdrew her appeal.,Service connection for aggravation of preexisting bilateral pes planus condition is granted. The Board finds the evidence at least in equipoise that the Veteran’s preexisting pes planus was aggravated during service.

The Board has denied service connection for Diabetes Mellitus, type II and remanded the claim for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy are each rated at 30 percent, while his right lower extremity and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are each rated at 20 percent. The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's right foot disability is granted, as the evidence supports a finding that it had its onset during service or is otherwise related to his active service.,Service connection for orthopedic disabilities of the bilateral upper and lower extremities is denied. The Board found no credible evidence linking these conditions to service or any service-connected condition.

The Board has denied a rating for compressive neuropathy of the left suprascapular nerve in excess of 20 percent prior to April 26, 2012 and in excess of 40 percent thereafter. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, peripheral vestibular disorder, and sleep apnea are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is intertwined with the other service connection claims.

The Veteran’s diabetes mellitus, neuropathy of the right hand with early Dupuytren's contracture, and neuropathy of the left hand with early Dupuytren's contracture are all rated at their maximum levels. The Board finds that none of these conditions warrant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise, and therefore grants service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.