Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2021

The Board denied service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease and type II diabetes mellitus as due to exposure to herbicides, as there is no evidence of such exposure on Okinawa.

The Veteran was unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, which prevented him from performing tasks involving frequent standing or walking. The Board granted the TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including peripheral vascular disease and venous insufficiency of the lower extremities, diabetic nephropathy, type 2 diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathies of both upper and lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction, are rated at a combined 90 percent. The Board finds that these conditions reasonably preclude participation in substantially gainful employment due to their severity.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral exercise-induced compartment syndrome status post five compartment fasciotomies with residual scars is denied prior to November 8, 2013. As of November 8, 2013, a staged 10 percent rating is granted.

The Board denied service connection for colon cancer due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service or exposure, and denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy other than right and left leg sciatica as it is not related to service. The issues were remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right eye condition, peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities, and bilateral hearing loss are not resolved in his favor due to insufficient evidence. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and diabetic neuropathy were denied increased ratings.,TDIU was granted from July 24, 2014 to July 15, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left and right upper extremity neuropathy, a cardiac disability, and type II diabetes mellitus was denied. The cardiac disability claim was granted based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents. Service connection for type II diabetes mellitus remains denied.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and diabetic neuropathy as the evidence did not establish a nexus to service or any presumptive period.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus due to new evidence showing potential exposure while serving aboard USS Midway in Vietnam's territorial waters. The claim for service connection for polyneuropathy is also remanded as it may be derivative of the diabetes mellitus claim.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is not service connected as there was no in-service diagnosis or manifestation of the condition, and it did not manifest within one year after separation from active duty.,Peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, diabetic retinopathy, and kidney failure are not secondary to diabetes mellitus and are not otherwise related to service.

The Board has determined that a remand is required to clarify the Veteran's diagnosis regarding his neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, including whether it is a hereditary defect or acquired disorder. The examiner will also need to determine if any current neuropathy disorder had an onset during service or is otherwise related to service, including exposure to herbicides.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to potential herbicide exposure and/or diabetes mellitus, as well as other conditions. The VA is instructed to verify the Veteran's exposure history and obtain an addendum opinion regarding his diabetes diagnosis.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes, hypertension, and various neurologic conditions in the upper and lower extremities have been denied. The Board found insufficient evidence to establish service connection due to lack of in-service onset or exposure.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus, bilateral leg disability (peripheral neuropathy), bilateral foot disability, shoulder disabilities, elbow disability, knee disability, and hand/finger disability have all been denied. The Board found that there is no competent medical evidence to support the conclusion that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD was granted a 50% rating from September 23, 2014 to April 14, 2015. Since then, the claim has been remanded for further action on other issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination and the need for clarification of the Veteran's current neurological condition(s). The issues are whether the Veteran has a neurologic disorder, including Parkinson’s disease, Parkinsonism, ataxia, mild degenerative cerebellar disease, peripheral neuropathy, or any other found neurologic disability. Clarification is needed based on the Veteran's medical history and presumed Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has dismissed all claims related to service connection and increased ratings due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for fibromyalgia is dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination findings and a need for further clarification on the nature and etiology of the Veteran's polyneuropathy, as well as whether it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spondylosis.