Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral hands, upper extremities, and lower extremities have been granted. The TDIU claim is remanded due to being inextricably intertwined with other pending claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, a pulmonary disorder, left lower extremity neuropathy, and right lower extremity neuropathy with right leg shortening due to additional development being needed. The issues of TDIU are also remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left foot disorder, including neuropathy, arthritis, and plantar fasciitis. The decision also remanded the issue of service connection for a left ankle disability due to service-connected left knee and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for CIDP of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his military service and his condition.

The Veteran's appeal for right knee disability is dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of the issue. The Board has remanded several other issues including peripheral neuropathy, respiratory disability, sleep apnea, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, skin disability (PFB), bilateral kidney disability, hearing loss, insomnia, depression, erectile dysfunction, and eye conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, right lower extremity and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II. The decision is based on presumptive exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand during the Vietnam Era.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for consideration of his claim for increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, and the issuance of a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC).

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are currently rated at 20 percent each, reflecting moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is remanded due to unverified claimed stressors.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression is denied due to lack of credible evidence linking his mental health condition to service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is denied because there is no current diagnosis and the medical records do not indicate an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is denied as there is insufficient evidence of a current diagnosis and lack of credible evidence linking it to service.,The Veteran's increased rating claim for diabetes mellitus remains at 20 percent, with the requirement of regulation of activities not met.,The Veteran's increased rating claim for diabetic retinopathy status post bilateral cataracts removal is remanded as there is no current visual field impairment data provided.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy in multiple extremities, including as due to Agent Orange exposure. Further development is needed to obtain private medical records from a non-VA neurologist.

The Board denied service connection for neuropathy of the right hand and a skin disability to include lichen planus, both claimed as due to exposure to herbicides. The preponderance of evidence did not support finding that these conditions began during service or were related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities, including hearing loss, anxiety disorder, headaches, sleep apnea, shoulder strain, vertigo, back issues, sciatica, and nerve damage in the upper extremities, were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of current disability for some conditions (e.g., left ear hearing loss) or insufficient symptoms to warrant higher ratings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities have been denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after his service.

The Veteran's bilateral knee osteoarthritis, left shoulder arthritis, digestive issues (chronic constipation), and low back condition with lower extremity neuropathy were not shown as chronic in service or within the applicable presumptive period. Continuity of symptomatology is not established; and the disabilities are not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's bilateral tinnitus has been assigned a 10 percent rating, which is the maximum schedular rating authorized under Diagnostic Code (DC) 6260.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to exposure to herbicides and/or as secondary to a back injury or neuropathy. The claims include left lower extremity neuropathy, right lower extremity neuropathy, and vertigo (balance problems).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is remanded due to unresolved issues regarding his in-service exposure and verification of service in Vietnam. The Board also notes that there is no evidence of herbicide agent exposure during his service.

The Board denied an initial increased rating for CAD and remanded the issues of entitlement to separate compensable ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, as well as the issue of entitlement to a higher rating for diabetic nephropathy.

The Veteran's cervical spine injury and related conditions have been granted service connection, with a rating of 30 percent effective December 22, 2017. The right knee disability, arthritis of the cervical spine, neuropathy of left upper extremity, lumbar spine disability, sciatica of bilateral lower extremities as secondary to a lumbar spine disability, and skin disability have not been granted service connection.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, back condition, and right knee degenerative joint disease. The decision found that there was no current diagnosis of these conditions prior to death, and that any in-service injuries or exposures did not result in a chronic disability.

The Veteran's appeal regarding service connection for various conditions has been remanded due to the need for additional evaluations and examinations. The denial of a higher rating for coronary artery disease from December 1, 2011 to October 12, 2015 remains unchanged.