Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2021

The Veteran's left leg varicose veins are granted service connection.,The claim for reopening of the respiratory disorder is granted, but the issue remains remanded as a VA examination and opinion are needed to determine if there is new and material evidence.,Service connection for bilateral lower extremity neuropathy secondary to service-connected right and left leg varicose veins is remanded due to need for clarification on parameters of the disability.,The Veteran's right heel spurs require clarification regarding the specific nature of the disability, as a VA examination and opinion are needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his PVD and PAD, contributed to his death from ischemic cardiomyopathy. The criteria for service connection have been met.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral upper extremity neuropathy, bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and major depressive disorder), obstructive sleep apnea, a lumbar spine disorder, right lower extremity neuropathy, left lower extremity neuropathy, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder are all being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,The Veteran has not been diagnosed with bilateral upper extremity neuropathy or any other condition related to his service. His claims for hearing loss, psychiatric disorders, sleep apnea, TBI, lumbar spine disorder, lower extremity conditions, and knee disorders are being remanded as well.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment for the period of January 12, 2012 to August 9, 2012.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient rationale in the previous VA examiner's opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed disabilities and their relation to his military service, particularly exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has remanded the cases due to VA's failure to obtain private treatment records from the Veteran's chiropractor.

The Board dismissed the appeals for higher initial ratings for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to the appellant's death.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for DMII, IHD, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities have been remanded due to new evidence received since previous decisions. The preponderance of the evidence does not support finding that he has these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment since January 1, 2010.

The Board has remanded the claims for type II diabetes mellitus, eye disability, peripheral neuropathy, and erectile dysfunction due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand. The claims are now pending again with instructions to verify the Veteran's alleged exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including a new VA opinion on whether the sensory neuropathy, right femoral nerve is an additional disability and if it was caused by or worsened by VA treatment. The Veteran's representative will be invited to submit any relevant evidence.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral spine pain with degenerative disc disease and remanded other issues. Additional development is required to address all claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for skin disability, headaches, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities due to Agent Orange exposure. The remand requires additional medical opinions addressing the continuity of symptoms from service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, respiratory disability, and bilateral upper and lower extremity neuropathy due to service-connected psychiatric disability. The VA examiner is requested to provide additional opinions regarding whether these conditions are secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's conditions and his military service, including herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for pes cavus, left and right ankle disabilities, bilateral shin splints, lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity neuropathy, right lower extremity neuropathy, and right leg radiculopathy due to inextricable interdependence with the claim of service connection for pes cavus.

The Veteran's service connection for diabetic neuropathy is granted. The appeal for a neurological disability, other than diabetic neuropathy, is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for diabetic nephropathy with hypertension prior to February 13, 2021 and a higher than 60 percent rating thereafter was denied.,The Veteran's claims for ratings higher than 20 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity prior to January 07, 2021 and a higher than 30 percent rating thereafter were also denied.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, neuropathy in various extremities, and kidney stones due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's service or exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.