Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, effective from August 14, 2012 to June 1, 2018.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including a spinal disorder, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a respiratory disability. The decision found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, back disability, diabetes, and others, have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability due to these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee and right leg disabilities are not related to service, and denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for tremors of the right hand and arm, as well as his bilateral knee disorder. The VA will provide medical opinions to determine if these conditions are related to active service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities due to lack of compliance with previous remand directives. The effective dates for increased ratings for thoracic outlet syndrome and left ankle fracture residuals remain denied.

The Veteran's death was caused by a pulmonary embolus, which the Board found to be related to his service-connected atrial fibrillation. Therefore, DIC based on service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death is granted. The claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is dismissed as moot.

The appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA and private treatment records, schedule an examination for the acquired psychiatric disorder, and provide a medical opinion regarding any sleep disorder. The dependent benefits claim for FM, GM, and LMM will also be addressed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for neuropathy in the lower extremities, diabetes mellitus, type II, and pre-cancerous colon polyps due to exposure to Agent Orange is being remanded as there is insufficient evidence of a current diagnosis.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and pre-cancerous colon polyps due to exposure to Agent Orange is also being remanded as the VA has not yet provided an examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining SSA records and VA examinations for his lumbar spine, left lower extremity neuropathy, left shoulder, residuals of a mild concussion, bilateral hearing loss, plantar warts, left knee and femur, right foot disorder, bilateral plantar fasciitis, respiratory disorder, cardiovascular disease, acquired psychiatric disorder, and residuals of an allergy to bee sting.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of his lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence linking his condition to his military service or presumed exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Board found that the Veteran’s type II diabetes mellitus does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent, but his bilateral lower extremity diabetic neuropathy is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of PTSD, diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD has been dismissed due to the withdrawal by the Veteran.,The claims for service connection for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have been reopened based on new evidence received since the November 2008 rating decision.,The claims for service connection for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, as well as skin disability, are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.,The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have made it impossible for him to secure or maintain gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for the entire period of appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy, and a low back condition. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to a lumbar spine disability is granted. The claims for initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, rating in excess of 60 percent for a lumbar spine disability, and a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to February 5, 2016 and in excess of 20 percent thereafter for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity are remanded.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for depression was reopened and granted. The effective date is July 16, 2013.,Service connection for tinnitus was denied. The Veteran did not submit evidence demonstrating current tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for residuals of frostbite and peripheral neuropathy have been granted, with the highest available rating (30%) being assigned.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding service connection for hypertension and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, as secondary to herbicide exposure.