Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2021

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and remanded the remaining issues due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU for the period from May 30, 2013 to February 13, 2014 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.,Effective dates earlier than February 13, 2014 were denied for the grants of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the femoral nerves of the bilateral lower extremities and diabetic peripheral vascular disease of the right lower extremity.,An effective date of February 13, 2014 was granted for an increased disability rating of 30 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the femoral nerves of the bilateral lower extremities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to conceded herbicide exposure, but has remanded these issues for further development.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities requires further examination.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate examination and incomplete treatment records, requiring a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a heart condition, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity (claimed as secondary to diabetes), and an eye condition (including glaucoma) due to diabetes. The Veteran's claims are being reviewed again.,Service connection is denied for a heart condition, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, and an eye condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer as secondary to prostatitis with prostate hypertrophy is dismissed.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of service connection for a neurologic disability, to include radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, as secondary to degenerative changes of the cervical spine.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of service connection for a neurologic disability, to include radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities as secondary to degenerative changes of the lumbar spine.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for hypertension.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for the residuals associated with the January 2014 surgical removal of Dupuytren's contracted fascia from the left hand due to a finding that the disability was not proximately caused by VA's carelessness, negligence, or similar instance of fault.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a skin disability, bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, hepatitis C, and liver cancer due to potential exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for histoplasmosis, type II diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and hypertension, finding no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after service. The Board also found that there was insufficient evidence to establish a link between any current diagnoses and exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as it is not related to his active duty service and there are no legal presumptions applicable.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating for left upper extremity neuropathy, as a residual of NHL, is denied. The issue of a separate compensable disability rating for left lower extremity neuropathy and the issues of higher initial disability ratings for depressive disorder and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for left shoulder impingement syndrome, left shoulder recurrent dislocation-scapulohumeral joint, and left ulnar neuropathy due to inadequate examination reports. The Veteran will need a VA examination to assess the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and diabetes mellitus type II have been granted effective dates of January 15, 2014.,An earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is denied.

The Veteran's radiculopathy affecting both lower extremities is rated at 20 percent from April 29, 2014 to February 2, 2016 and at 40 percent thereafter. The Veteran's neuropathy of the left ulnar nerve is rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and he is now entitled to VA examinations to determine the etiology of his hypertension, stroke, peripheral neuropathy, prostate disability, and ED. The Board has also remanded these issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for right lower extremity neurological disability and respiratory disability due to additional development being necessary. The Veteran's service connection claims are not about exposure to lead, asbestos or environmental contaminants.

The Board has denied service connection for vision loss in the right eye, atherosclerosis with peripheral vascular disease, bilateral hip disorder secondary to bi-femoral graft surgery, and peripheral neuropathy of the feet. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service or mercury toxicity from amalgam fillings received during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetic retinopathy has been reopened and granted. The Veteran is also granted a rating of 50 percent for PTSD, but denied higher ratings for other conditions.