Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has remanded the cases due to conflicting opinions and insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected conditions (sleep apnea, PTSD, sinusitis, and hypertension) and his sleep apnea. The remand also addresses the issue of service connection for ischemic optic neuropathy.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, sleep apnea, and hypertension was granted. Peripheral neuropathy is linked to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. Sleep apnea is not related to service or any other condition. Hypertension is secondary to ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and left foot neuropathy are rated at the lowest possible levels. The right foot neuropathy is rated as 20 percent prior to April 9, 2012, but not higher.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), sleep apnea, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions were related to service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for diabetes mellitus was denied as his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities as a complication of diabetes mellitus was also denied, as there is no evidence that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected. The Veteran's myopathy and anti-TS HDS neuropathy are remanded for further development regarding herbicide exposure.

The Board denied service connection for various musculoskeletal conditions, chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer, neuropathy, bronchial asthma, and diabetes mellitus, type II. The Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of these conditions during the appeal period.,Service connection was also denied for bilateral upper extremity neuropathy, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, and diabetes mellitus, type II due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities and vascular dementia. The Veteran will be scheduled for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The claim of service connection for melanoma is denied. The claim of service connection for an eye/vision disability, prostate disability, diabetes mellitus, migraines, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathies, thyroid disability, acquired psychiatric disability (including posttraumatic stress disorder and depression), and sleep apnea are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has denied service connection for a rash on both hands, diabetes mellitus, type II, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II. The heart condition claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for type II diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease associated with diabetes mellitus prior to November 4, 2016, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent for type II diabetes mellitus or a rating in excess of 60 percent for chronic kidney disease associated with diabetes mellitus prior to November 4, 2016. Separate compensable ratings are granted for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, hearing loss (claimed as left ear condition), PTSD, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, bilateral eye disability (diabetic retinopathy and loss of vision), and sleep disorder with fatigue. The issue of service connection for tinnitus was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities has been rated 10 percent each since August 26, 2010. The Board is remanding to determine if an extraschedular TDIU rating should be granted prior to November 17, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, thus granting a TDIU prior to July 6, 2017.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy, and peripheral neuropathy. The claims are now remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and verify the Veteran’s reported exposure at Andersen Air Force Base.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates were denied as the criteria for an effective date prior to the dates of his initial claims or diagnoses have not been met.,The effective dates assigned by the RO are considered appropriate based on the evidence of record and VA regulations.

The Board has granted service connection for sensorineural bilateral hearing loss. Service connection is remanded for diabetes mellitus, type II and its associated peripheral neuropathies.

The appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and no further action can be taken on these claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, carotid artery disease, and hypertension due to additional development being necessary.