Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, type II, erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, and kidney cancer have been granted. The appeal is remanded for further action on the claim for kidney cancer.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is granted due to his service-connected disabilities, including voiding dysfunction and diabetic neuropathy of the lower extremities. The Board finds that he is not capable of obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and experience.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be service-connected.,The Veteran's allergies, skin disorder (dermatitis and seborrheic keratosis), hypertension, adult-onset diabetes, digestive disorder, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are not found to be service-connected.

The Board denied the claim for service connection of small fiber neuropathy with associated fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's period of active duty.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions addressing whether the Veteran's lower back degenerative condition is secondary to his service-connected knee disability. The claim for neuropathy of the left leg will also be remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the lower back claim.

The Veteran's service connection for diabetic retinopathy is granted as a complication of his service-connected type 2 diabetes mellitus. The Board also grants service connection for insomnia, but denies service connection for sleep apnea, acid reflux, skin disorder, headache disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, and prostate condition are all granted as due to in-service exposure to an herbicide agent.,The Veteran's service connection claim for erectile dysfunction is also granted as due to a service-connected prostate condition.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for unspecified disability, carpal tunnel syndrome (claimed as bilateral hand neuropathy), and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claims are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus aggravated his diagnosed condition. Service connection was denied for squamous cell carcinoma (claimed as throat cancer), with the examiner indicating it is less likely than not related to herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to chemical exposure, as there is insufficient evidence to determine if his conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's hypertension is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his service or herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities is denied as it is not related to his military service, including herbicide exposure. The VA examiner found that the condition is more likely caused by his cervical spine disability and degenerative changes.,The Veteran's bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities is also denied for the same reasons as above.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy in both upper and lower extremities due to exposure to herbicide agents, including Agent Orange. The Veteran is not shown to have early-onset peripheral neuropathy, but his current evidence supports a possible link between his peripheral neuropathy and exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes and heart disease, make it impossible for him to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for peripheral neuropathy in both upper extremities and obstructive sleep apnea. The decision is based on a lack of current diagnoses of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for lung cancer, peripheral neuropathy of all four extremities, diabetes mellitus, type II, and tremors due to insufficient information regarding herbicide exposure during service. The Veteran's assertions about his exposure need further verification.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted. Diabetes mellitus type II is presumed to be related to herbicide exposure, left and right foot neuropathy are secondary to diabetes mellitus, a skin condition (including blisters) is presumed due to herbicide exposure or diabetes mellitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder is presumed due to service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's service-connected neuropathy of the external popliteal nerve of both great toes and forefoot was granted a disability rating of 20 percent prior to July 3, 2018, and 30 percent from that date forward.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to May 18, 2007. The Board granted entitlement to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis effective from May 18, 2007.

The Board denied service connection for left upper extremity neuropathy and right upper extremity neuropathy, as well as an increased rating for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine. The Veteran's conditions were not found to be related to his service-connected bilateral shoulder impingement.