Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to higher ratings for various service-connected conditions, including coronary artery disease and peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran's appeal is not about service connection but rather about the appropriate disability rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to conflicting diagnoses regarding PTSD and for an addendum opinion on whether his neuropathies are related to his presumed exposure to herbicide agents while in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to inadequate rationale provided in previous opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The remaining claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sinus disorder, basal cell carcinoma of the back, diabetes mellitus type II, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the hypertension claim.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to August 26, 2019 was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes and related peripheral neuropathy due to lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives. The Veteran's service connection claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities results in loss of use of his feet, which meets the criteria for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities combine to render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities have been denied, with an effective date of September 28, 2018.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass graft, type II diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, bilateral diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and bilateral diabetic retinopathy have been granted. These conditions are presumed to be associated with herbicide agent exposure in Guam.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of recurrent right and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for further examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus, type II, are presumed to be related to his in-service herbicide agent exposure.,His diabetic neuropathy of the left upper and bilateral lower extremities is proximately due to his now service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities. The decision is vacated due to failure to consider special rules for early-onset peripheral neuropathy based on herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service connection for diabetes type II as a result of herbicide exposure is granted. The issue of service connection for bilateral neuropathy, which may be secondary to the service-connected diabetes, is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to potential exposure during service. The other issues remain denied.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to the lack of evidence showing a current disability. The Veteran's low back, upper extremity neuropathy, ankle, knee, and lower leg disabilities are remanded for further examination.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for issues related to effective dates and service connection, as the Veteran withdrew his appeals. The remaining claims of service connection have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical evidence and the need for a VA examination.

Service connection is granted for ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and type II diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure in Thailand.,Service connection is also granted for neuropathy of the right upper extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity secondary to service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was granted. The effective date of the award is October 2014, when he filed the initial claim.,Service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was denied as there is no evidence linking these disabilities to service.