Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine disorder, right lower extremity neuropathy, erectile dysfunction, and jaw disorder. The reasons included lack of in-service injury or disease, no continuity of symptoms since service, and insufficient medical evidence linking the disorders to service.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and its associated peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities to include as secondary to Agent Orange exposure. The Veteran's claims are remanded for further development regarding his lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent from January 28, 2014 and restored.,A 20 percent rating for peripheral neuropathy in the right lower extremity and a 20 percent rating for peripheral neuropathy in the left lower extremity are granted.

The Board has remanded several issues, including those related to service connection for various conditions and eligibility for financial assistance in purchasing a vehicle or acquiring housing. The main issue is the determination of whether the Veteran's disabilities meet the criteria for Special Monthly Compensation beyond May 2, 2000.

The Veteran's bilateral hip disorder and tinnitus are granted, but his peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity and bilateral upper extremities is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities have been denied as there is no evidence that warrants a higher rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, upper and lower extremities, as well as for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and major depressive disorder), due to herbicide exposure. The appeal is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including diabetes mellitus and its complications. The appeal is also remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange during his deployment.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II. The issue of entitlement to TDIU prior to June 7, 2017 is remanded due to its interdependence with another pending claim.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's current neurological disorders are related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus or other conditions, as well as whether any diagnosed PTSD is related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type 2, peripheral neuropathy, and hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU claim based on these conditions.

The Board has found that the examination conducted in August 2019 is inadequate and further development is necessary, including obtaining updated medical records and a new examination for both peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and restless leg syndrome.

The Board has remanded the claims for prostate cancer residuals and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's service-connected conditions are being reviewed, including his diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's cause of death was identified as ALL, which the appellant contends is related to her Gulf War service. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for DIC benefits due to the appellant's contention regarding exposure to environmental hazards during her Gulf War service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate these claims.

The Board has determined that additional evidence was received after the last statement of the case and remands the cases for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's low back disability, and determining whether there are any neurological impairments or intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for separate compensable ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the femoral nerves and sciatic nerves of both lower extremities, effective March 27, 2012. The decision is based on VA treatment records dated December 23, 2011, which documented an increase in disability.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a back disorder has been withdrawn and dismissed.,The appeals for service connection for swollen prostate, bilateral upper extremity neuropathy, and bilateral eye glaucoma have also been withdrawn and dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and neuropathy of the right lower extremity. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a finding that these conditions began during or were related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for head pain on the right side, which is currently pending.,Service connection for sleep apnea and right hip pain are denied as there is no evidence of a direct relationship to service or service-connected conditions.