Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including carpal tunnel syndrome, shoulder and lumbar spine disorders, and peripheral neuropathy. The issues are related to whether these conditions are secondary to a service-connected cervical spine disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a bilateral vision condition and sleep disorder has been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeals for service connection for hypertension (due to herbicide exposure) and digestive condition secondary to PTSD have been remanded.,The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his PTSD is being remanded.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a digestive condition and peripheral neuropathy in the bilateral upper and lower extremities are being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for type II diabetes mellitus (DMT2) and related secondary conditions. The case was remanded for additional development regarding a breathing condition.,Service connection for anatomical loss of the bilateral lower extremities and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, both claimed as secondary to DMT2, were denied. The case was also remanded for an addendum VA medical opinion on a breathing condition.,The Board denied service connection for stroke, which was claimed as secondary to DMT2. The case was also remanded for additional development regarding a breathing condition.,Service connection for type II diabetes mellitus (DMT2) and related secondary conditions were denied. Service connection for a breathing condition, to include asbestosis, was remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and clarification of medical opinions regarding the service connection claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, hypertension, respiratory disability (asthma and COPD), back disability, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, headache disability, polymyalgia rheumatica, rheumatoid arthritis, and voiding dysfunction are not service-connected. The claims for these conditions have been remanded to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy is granted with a rating of 20 percent, but no higher.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type I, coronary artery disease, neuropathy, and bilateral eye disorder due to incomplete development. The claims are inextricably intertwined with his increased rating and TDIU claims.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to exposure to herbicide agents, as there is insufficient evidence to confirm his alleged exposure during his service in Thailand. The claims will be returned to the AOJ for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU for accrued purposes.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with radiculopathy and other service-connected conditions have been granted increased ratings, and a TDIU has been granted for the period from June 10, 2011 to April 22, 2013. The case is remanded for additional development.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, due to his death.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, combined with other disabilities, rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment from October 2, 2006 to May 27, 2011. TDIU was granted effective October 2, 2006.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, including as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for various conditions, including vertigo, chronic otitis externa, diabetes mellitus type II, colon polyps, residuals of a neck tumor excision, coronary artery disease, peripheral neuropathy, and hypertension. The issues are related to new evidence that reopened these claims.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a back disability with herniated discs and stenosis, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and lumbar radiculopathy have been granted.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, increased rating claims, and effective date claims due to incomplete medical records and scheduling of VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerve and femoral nerves has been granted initial ratings of 40 percent, effective July 16, 2018. The Veteran is also awarded TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been denied. The rating for osteoarthritis of the thoracolumbar spine with history of T-12 and L-1 compression fracture is denied, as are the claims for sciatic neuropathy of the right lower extremity prior to February 24, 2017 and left lower extremity prior to February 24, 2017. The rating for sciatic neuropathy of the right lower extremity since February 24, 2017 is denied, as are those for the left lower extremity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his failure to report for VA examinations. The issues include left upper extremity radiculopathy/peripheral neuropathy, cervical spine disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, all secondary to service-connected lumbar strain.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for polyneuropathy of the lower extremities, finding that it was caused by his service-connected PTSD with alcohol use disorder in early remission.