Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spine disorder, left varicocele, right varicocele, neuropathy of the lower and upper extremities, and knee disorders. The decision also noted that a right ankle disorder was not shown.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertensive vascular disease as secondary to PTSD. The remaining claims of service connection for myelitis, neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities are remanded due to their potential inextricability with the newly granted benefit.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including evaluations and service connection determinations. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also being remanded to consider additional factors.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection. His CAD has also been granted based on herbicide exposure in Korea.,Service connection for his back disability, right lower extremity sciatica, skin disabilities (porphyria cutanea tarda and eczema), hemochromatosis, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, and TDIU has been granted. However, these claims are remanded due to lack of evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and seeking opinions on the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral foot conditions and peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation of his diabetes, nephropathy, peripheral neuropathy involving multiple nerves, and diabetic retinopathy with cataracts.,VA will schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 70 percent rating, service connection for low back disability, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (presumptive due to exposure to herbicide agents), and TDIU are all granted. Service connection for an eye condition is dismissed.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was granted a rating of 20 percent from November 5, 2018.,An initial rating in excess of 60 percent for diabetic nephropathy was denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of evidence regarding herbicide agent exposure in Thailand and Guam. The Veteran is asked to provide more details about his alleged exposures.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted due to the submission of new and relevant evidence.,Right ear hearing loss is found to be etiologically related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetic neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, erectile dysfunction secondary to diabetes mellitus type II, and ischemic heart disease. The denial is due to a lack of service connection for diabetes mellitus, which is required for secondary service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for cold injury residuals and a low back condition, finding no current diagnosis of these conditions and that they did not have their clinical onset in service or within one year of discharge.

The Board has restored service connection for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. Service connection is also remanded for a lumbar spine disorder.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction (ED) remains in dispute.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, diabetic polyneuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, diabetic polyneuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, and diabetic retinopathy due to potential exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Korea.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for rheumatoid arthritis prior to May 1, 2014, finding that the Veteran's condition was not active during this period and did not warrant a higher rating based on his knee conditions.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss and a TDIU due to diabetic neuropathy was denied. For the period prior to January 2, 2018, his hearing loss did not meet criteria for a compensable rating. From January 2, 2018 onwards, he is rated at 30 percent for bilateral hearing loss. The TDIU claim based on diabetic neuropathy was granted as the disability prevented him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for colon cancer residuals, peripheral neuropathy of bilateral upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities due to potential exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The VA must provide medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.