Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for idiopathic peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities, finding that the evidence does not support a link to military service.

The Board has remanded two issues: one regarding right foot neuropathy and the other regarding left foot neuropathy. The right foot issue is due to a lack of an SOC, while the left foot issue requires further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection, increased rating, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran needs to provide medical records from Dr. L. Richard and Greater Ann Arbor Neurology Associates, an addendum opinion on direct service connection, and a new VA examination for his left femur disability.

The Board denied service connection for a right-hand strain and peripheral neuropathy of the right hand, finding that there was no evidence to support these conditions were related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for neuralgia of the seventh cranial nerve has been dismissed. The claims for ratings in excess of 10 percent prior to May 9, 2012, and from May 9, 2012, forward, for peripheral neuropathy left lower extremity are remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities due to a lack of evidence.

The Board has remanded cases for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine, cervical spine, and related neurological disabilities. The issues of service connection remain pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cerebellar degeneration, peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, and hypertension due to potential exposure to hazardous chemicals in service. The claims are also related as they could impact a decision on the issues of entitlement to a 10 percent evaluation based on multiple, noncompensable, service-connected disabilities and entitlement to a TDIU.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD and additional service-connected disabilities rated at 60 percent or more. SMC at the housebound rate is also granted from January 1, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, coronary artery disease (CAD), and diabetes mellitus type II have been granted. The decision also reopened his claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his claims for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of all four extremities. The Veteran was not diagnosed with this condition in his medical records and a new VA examination is needed to determine if he currently has it.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to diabetes mellitus type 2, and granted initial ratings of 20 percent for diabetic polyneuropathy of the left lower extremity and right lower extremity.

The Veteran's current disabilities, including monoclonal gammopathy and peripheral neuropathy, are not related to his exposure to Coolanol during service.,Service connection for left finger numbness and right finger numbness due to exposure to Coolanol is denied.

The Board denied service connection for left ulnar neuropathy as it was not shown to be related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted for left ankle degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine mild degenerative disc disease, and varicose veins of the legs. Service connection was denied for diabetes mellitus type 2 and peripheral neuropathy of the feet.

The Board denied service connection for HIV and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence to support these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities has been denied. He is currently rated at 20% for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, but not for his upper extremities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that he is entitled to TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for various disabilities, including cervical radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, left shoulder arthritis, right shoulder arthritis, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine with strain status post fusion, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, degenerative joint disease of the right hip, degenerative joint disease of the left hip, left knee arthritis, leg length discrepancy, chronic right ankle sprain with avulsion fracture and Morton’s neuroma, scar, anterior neck, nonlinear surgical scar, right shoulder, surgical scars, right shoulder, tension headaches, right inguinal neuropathy, status post inguinal hernia repair, attention-deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with mood disorder, and bruxism with temporomandibular joint dysfunction. Additional examinations are needed to determine the current severity of these disabilities.