Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for Ischemic Heart Disease and TDIU prior to October 20, 2011 were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or TDIU based on service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's sensorimotor polyneuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is granted as service connected due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange during active duty in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left eye condition and bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities were granted in a June 2020 rating decision, thus dismissing these claims. The claim for hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus type II is being remanded as an incomplete medical opinion was provided.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including malignant melanoma, lymphoma, tinnitus, obesity, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, bilateral hearing loss disability, peripheral neuropathy of the left and right feet, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and sleep apnea have all been denied. The denial is based on a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or any other relevant factor.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, hyperacusis, electrical brain pain, neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, and neck pain are all remanded due to insufficient evidence or lack of proper examination.

The Veteran's neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities have been rated as moderate incomplete paralysis, but further development is needed to determine if higher ratings are warranted.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's cervical spine, right hip, left hip and left knee disabilities for additional development. The Veteran is also entitled to a rating in excess of 20 percent for his left hip disability (limitation of abduction) from November 26, 2019.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of June 7, 2017 for the grant of service connection for peripheral neuropathy right and left upper extremities as secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, diabetic neuropathy of the four extremities, and erectile dysfunction due to potential exposure to herbicide agents during service. Further development is needed to determine if the Veteran was exposed to Agent Orange while serving aboard USS Ranger in the Gulf of Tonkin.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a current diagnosis and noting that elevated blood sugar levels do not constitute a disability.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is presumed to be causally related to herbicide agent exposure during service. The bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is found to be a complication of the service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities due to inadequate examination in addressing the Veteran's theories of service connection.

The Veteran's claims for lumbosacral strain, radiculopathy of the right arm and left arm (peripheral neuropathy), and anterior cervical discectomy and fusion spanning C5 to C7 are remanded due to a duty to assist error. The AOJ must obtain all identified private treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and hypertension due to exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange).

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy, finding no evidence of herbicide exposure in Vietnam or Thailand. The Veteran's claims were not legally possible due to lack of service-connected primary condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right upper extremity neuropathy due to a lack of medical opinion on whether these conditions are related to his service or aggravated by diabetes mellitus. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it may be affected by the outcome of the service connection claims.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of April 17, 2014 for the award of radiculopathy of the right lower extremity and peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities. The issues of a rating in excess of 10 percent for a lumbar spine disability prior to October 18, 2017 and a rating of 30 percent since, and entitlement to TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is not service-connected and is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran has peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity that is proximately due to his service connected diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran has peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity that is proximately due to his service connected diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran has peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity that is proximately due to his service connected diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran has peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity that is proximately due to his service connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to June 12, 2017.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to insufficient evidence, including a need for VA examinations.