Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected type II diabetes mellitus, right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and coronary artery disease have been rated based on their respective disabilities. The initial ratings for these conditions are denied as they do not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities was not shown as associated with exposure to herbicide agents nor chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period. Continuity of symptomatology is not established, and the disability is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or event.

The Veteran's claim for a heart disorder has been reopened and service connection is granted.,Service connection for PTSD is granted based on the Veteran's reported in-service stressors.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have neuropathy or radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, and thus denied service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and the need for further medical examinations. The issues include flat feet, neuropathy of the lower extremities, knee disabilities, neck disability, and back disability.

The Board dismissed the claims for service connection for various foot, knee, and leg conditions prior to April 5, 2016 due to a favorable resolution of the issue in May 2020.

The Board has remanded the claims for cervical spine disorder, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's service records indicate a parachute accident in May 1961 that may have caused his current spinal issues.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right upper extremities, finding no evidence of a nexus to active duty or herbicide exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, finding that it was not factually ascertainable that he was unemployable prior to January 21, 2009.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to potential herbicide exposure in Korea. The AOJ is instructed to verify the Veteran's reported service along the DMZ, obtain a request from JSRRC for verification of exposure to herbicides, and provide an opinion on whether contact with commercial or designated herbicide agents caused the Veteran's diabetes and peripheral neuropathy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot condition, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.,Specifically, the Veteran needs to be examined for his claimed psychiatric disabilities, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, glaucoma, headaches, erectile dysfunction, hearing loss, and any other conditions that may have arisen as a result of service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2 and diabetic neuropathy have been granted. The Veteran's claim for gout has been remanded. His claims for hypertension, memory loss, and TDIU are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened and granted.,The Veteran's claims for increased rating for lumbosacral spine strain, service connection for pulmonary embolism, and service connection for right lower extremity neuropathy are remanded. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for COPD, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the hands and feet, and ischemic heart disease were denied as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, type II diabetes (DM), and bilateral lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy due to potential PCB exposure at Fort McClellan in Anniston, Alabama. The VA examiner's opinion is inadequate as it did not address the specific contentions of the Veteran regarding her PCB exposure.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeals for increased ratings for left and right peripheral neuropathy due to his withdrawal of the appeal prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left upper extremity disability to include residuals of frostbite claimed as peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity is granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for pes planus is remanded.

The Board has vacated multiple decisions related to various service connection claims, including those for coronary artery disease, a scar, and peripheral neuropathy. The issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, glaucoma, erectile dysfunction, prostate disability, skin rash, and peripheral neuropathy have been remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims for increased evaluations are being remanded due to the need for VA examinations. Effective date issues are also being remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the evaluation issues.