Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has remanded several issues related to HIV and its secondary effects, including renal disability, neuropathy in multiple extremities, cellulitis, and right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's service connection for these conditions is being reviewed due to new evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU due to insufficient evidence regarding the severity of his lumbar spine spondylosis. The case is returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence to support a relationship between these conditions and in-service VX nerve agent exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's lower back disability, including whether there was a superimposed injury or disease during service that resulted in additional disability of the back (to include peripheral polyneuropathy).

The Veteran's Parkinson’s disease and Type 2 diabetes mellitus have been granted service connection due to presumed exposure near the DMZ in Korea. The Veteran also has a 50% rating for PTSD, but his peripheral neuropathy and diabetic retinopathy claims are denied.,PTSD is currently rated at 50%, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including dementia, chronic pancreatitis, and various neuropathies. The SMC rating is at the P-2 level.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension is denied as the evidence does not show that his diastolic pressure has been predominantly 110 mm/Hg or more, or systolic pressure has been predominantly 200 mm/Hg or more at any point during the appeal period.

A rating of 40 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity (sciatica) is granted effective from September 11, 2015. A total disability rating for compensation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is also remanded.

The Veteran's diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is granted service connection, and his eye disorder is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety disorder is denied. The claims of service connection for prostatitis, diabetes mellitus, left lower extremity diabetic neuropathy, and right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy are remanded.

The application to reopen the claims for service connection for PTSD, dementia, PN LLE and PN RLE is granted.,Service connection for PTSD is granted. Service connection for PN LLE and PN RLE are denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypertension and neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities were denied as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service, including exposure to toxic herbicide agents.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and disability ratings have been dismissed due to the Veteran opting into a new review system.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran’s claims for entitlement to service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, to include as due to herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's hypertension claim is denied as his blood pressure readings have not met the criteria for a compensable rating.,The claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities are readjudicated due to new evidence submitted after the March 2012 denial.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities is denied as the Veteran's condition is less likely related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, peripheral neuropathy in the left lower extremity (left foot), asthma, and right shoulder arthritis. The Veteran's claims were based on direct evidence of a current disability and no presumption or secondary theory was applicable.

The Veteran's service connection claims for type II diabetes mellitus, bilateral diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, erectile dysfunction, and bilateral diabetic retinopathy are all granted as they are presumed to be due to herbicide agent exposure during his active duty in Thailand.

The Board has denied service connection for erectile dysfunction, bilateral eye disability, skin disability, and peripheral neuropathy in each of the extremities due to lack of evidence showing current disabilities attributable to active service. The claims for diabetes mellitus, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, arthritis in multiple joints, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, and pes planus are remanded for further development.

The Board has ordered the VA to obtain additional medical records and a VA opinion regarding the Veteran's RA. The appeals for PTSD, RA, DM, SAH, and SHA are being remanded.

The Board has decided that there was not substantial compliance with previous remand directives and has ordered a new development to adjudicate whether the November 2012 rating decision contained CUE in granting service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, depression, and peripheral neuropathy of the right arm. The effective date for sleep apnea is still being considered.