Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and neuropathy, finding that there is no evidence to support these conditions being directly related to his military service or secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, as well as his claim for TDIU, are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in a loss or loss of use of one or both feet, permanent impairment of vision of both eyes, severe burn injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ankylosis of a knee or hip. Therefore, his claim for automobile and adaptive equipment is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, peripheral neuropathy of the left sciatic nerve, and peripheral neuropathy of the right sciatic nerve have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of PTSD has been dismissed. The Board found that his service-connected disabilities in combination (including especially his PTSD, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and diplopia) have precluded him from re-entering the workforce.

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of kidney cancer, a right lower extremity disability other than a right knee disability or peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and restless leg syndrome have been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a prostate disorder has been reopened and granted.,Service connection is established for PTSD. The Veteran's in-service stressors are considered credible.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that there is no causal relationship between his current condition and his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder was granted. The claims for tinea pedis, respiratory disability (including chronic bronchitis, COPD, and other respiratory pathology related to pulmonary eosinophilic granulomatosis and obstructive sleep apnea), foot disability other than tinea pedis, upper extremity diabetic neuropathy, and right knee disability are still pending and need further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicides during his time at Udorn Royal Thai Air Base. The VA is instructed to verify the Veteran’s reports of alleged exposure and provide additional records as needed.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to May 2, 2012. His initial disability rating for service-connected median nerve neuropathy of the right hand was increased from 50 percent to a maximum possible rating.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and other conditions that have rendered him unable to maintain gainful employment.

The Veteran's initial ratings for diabetic neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities have been denied as they do not meet the criteria for higher schedular ratings.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed bilateral peripheral neuropathy, specifically whether it is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is remanded due to the need for a supplemental opinion on its etiology, including whether it is related to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran is unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected back disability prior to May 19, 2010. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether he can maintain such employment.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of right upper extremity neuropathy with damage to brachial plexus nerve has been denied. The Board found that the earliest date on which he could have filed a claim was March 24, 2009.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were withdrawn by the Appellant, and as a result, these claims are dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity neuropathy, finding that the conditions are caused by the Veteran's service-connected eczema. The rating of 30 percent is maintained.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease and left upper extremity radiculopathy are granted service connection. The bilateral shoulder disability, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, and bilateral knee osteoarthritis are denied. Service connection for the left trigeminal neuralgia is granted with a 10 percent rating.