Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions due to exposure at Camp Lejeune are being remanded as the RO has not adjudicated these claims yet.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and multiple neuropathies, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities. However, these claims are still remanded as further development is needed to determine if there is a link between the Veteran's conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities, finding that it is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, chronic renal failure, coronary artery disease, and related peripheral neuropathies have been granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss has been denied. Claims for left ear hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a neurological disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his in-service exposure to chemicals and did not manifest within one year of separation from service.

The Board has remanded the case for clarification on whether the Veteran had upper extremity neuropathy during the appeal period and to provide an opinion regarding its etiology.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinion obtained is inadequate and requires further action, including obtaining consent forms for the December 2013 surgery and providing an addendum opinion to address whether the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and pain are caused by the December 2013 wart removal surgery.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed cervical radiculopathy and right upper extremity neuropathy. The examiner must provide an addendum opinion addressing causation and aggravation of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of his left peroneal nerve neuropathy, as well as his right and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran is to be scheduled for VA examinations to assess these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder is found to have aggravated his diabetes mellitus, type II. The Board also finds that the Veteran's diabetic retinopathy and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy are caused by his now service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was not shown in service or for many years thereafter and is not otherwise etiologically related to active duty service. The Board denied the claim as there is no evidence of early-onset neuropathy due to herbicide exposure, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a direct relationship between the condition and service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of both upper and lower extremities due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for neuropathy of his bilateral upper and lower extremities, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy and ischemic heart disease, finding that the Veteran did not have exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand or at Fort Drum. The Board also found no evidence of a direct link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of November 13, 2002 for the grant of TDIU and DEA under Chapter 35 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, and shell fragment wound of the right deltoid muscle, rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to November 27, 2015.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted service connection for tinnitus. The remaining issues are being remanded.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus, but the claim for bilateral hearing loss remains denied.

The Board has dismissed the veteran's appeals for service connection of peripheral neuropathy and COPD due to his spouse's request to withdraw her appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and remanded the issue of a higher initial rating for coronary artery disease with myocardial infarction residuals.