Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2021

The Board has granted service connection for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his Vietnam service.,Service connection for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted based on the presumption of exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral artery disease, increased rating for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, and TDIU. The decision on these issues is pending.

The Veteran's sarcoidosis is granted service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities remains under review.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease with spinal stenosis and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's central serous chorioretinopathy, left lower extremity neuropathy, and right lower extremity neuropathy are all found to have onset in service.,Obstructive sleep apnea is determined to have had its onset during active duty.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities is being remanded due to new evidence received since the June 2015 rating decision. The AOJ should obtain an addendum medical opinion addressing whether the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy may be related to his in-service herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's left upper extremity neuropathy is rated at 20 percent effective December 11, 2009. His left wrist condition remains rated at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to obtain VA treatment records and provide addendum opinions regarding the Veteran's claims of right upper extremity neuropathy, right hip disorder, and sleep apnea.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical spine, left upper extremity neuropathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and a left shoulder disability due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is granted as service connected, and the Board finds that his peripheral neuropathy at all levels of the extremities are also service-connected due to herbicide exposure in Thailand.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, right leg amputation at the knee, amputation of the left fourth toe, foot ulcers, peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and erectile dysfunction. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, as these conditions may be related to herbicide exposure and/or secondary to his service-connected Parkinson's disease. The case will be remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's lung disability was not found to be related to service or exposure to herbicide agents, and the Board denied this claim.,Peripheral neuropathy of both upper and lower extremities was also not found to be related to service or exposure to herbicide agents, as it is a presumptive condition for Gulf War veterans.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right lower extremity paralysis and PTSD, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU claim.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including his hearing loss disability, low back disability, sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, and associated neuropathy. The Veteran will need to undergo additional examinations to determine the current severity of his hearing loss, the nature and etiology of his low back disability, and the relationship between his sleep apnea and chemical exposure during service.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims for various conditions. The Veteran's hearing loss and TBI are not currently established as service-connected.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his hypertension. The issues remain on appeal as secondary service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected.,Service connection for bilateral neuropathy is denied. The Board found the preponderance of evidence against a finding that the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity neuropathy was related to his military service.