Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the overlap of symptoms between radiculopathy and neuropathy, as well as unclear diagnoses.

The Veteran's service connection claims for GERD and gastritis are denied as they do not meet the criteria for direct or presumptive service connection. However, his PTSD claim is granted based on personal assaults / a pattern of harassment during active duty.,PTSD service connection is granted due to in-service personal assaults / a pattern of harassment. Major depressive disorder with associated anxiety, insomnia, and memory loss are also granted as they can be linked to the Veteran's period of active service.,The Veteran's bowel disturbance with abdominal distress (an intestinal condition) qualifies as a qualifying chronic disability under 38 C.F.R. � 3.317 due to his Persian Gulf service. His type II diabetes mellitus is also granted as a qualifying chronic disability resulting from undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained multi-symptom illness.,Hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol) with angina (chest pain) and hypertension are both granted secondary to the Veteran's now service-connected hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol) with angina (chest pain).,PTSD, major depressive disorder, alcohol abuse, and polysubstance abuse disorders are all granted as secondary to his now service-connected PTSD and major depressive disorder.,The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is granted a 20 percent rating based on orthopedic manifestations. His tension headaches have been granted the maximum 50 percent rating from August 26, 2013.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (diabetic neuropathy, diabetes, and PTSD) have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU based on the combined impact of these conditions.

The Veteran's CLL is presumed to be causally related to herbicide agent exposure during service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been granted based on in-service noise exposure and continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD. The claims for upper extremity and knee disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and whether it is related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeals for the issues of service connection for various upper and lower extremity conditions. The Board dismissed these appeals.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to outstanding private treatment records and conflicting medical opinions. The Veteran's colon cancer, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and erectile dysfunction are all in question.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy was denied. The rating of 30 percent is maintained as the evidence did not show more than moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board dismissed the claim of service connection for status post acute traumatic sensory neuropathy, posterior division of thoracic nerve. The Veteran's nephrolithiasis was denied an initial compensable rating. The TDIU and SMC claims are remanded.

The Veteran's post-surgical wound infection, abcess, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are found to be a result of VA medical treatment. The Board finds that the proximate cause was not due to VA fault or an unforeseen event.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there is no evidence of current diagnoses.,The Veteran's claims for right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, neuropathy/radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and neuropathy/radiculopathy of the left lower extremity were also denied due to lack of competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction were denied. The Board found no evidence of in-service herbicide exposure or any other in-service injury that could be linked to these conditions.,There was no credible evidence linking the Veteran’s current conditions to his active military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension due to herbicide agent exposure is granted. The other issues are remanded and will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and neuropathy, and cervical spine disability as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional disability of the lumbosacral spine and right lower extremity neuropathy due to VA treatment is denied as there was no additional disability resulting from VA care, and any alleged failure by VA to diagnose or treat did not result in progression of his condition.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy/nerve damage, and hypertension due to contaminated water exposure at Camp Lejeune. The reasons include inadequate rationale in previous opinions regarding delayed onset of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, prostate cancer, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity due to claimed herbicide exposure. The remand requires verification of in-service DDT exposure and obtaining medical opinions regarding the relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right elbow disability, left elbow disability, and left upper extremity ulnar neuropathy due to a lack of VA examinations. The Veteran was scheduled but did not attend the requested examinations.