Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection for pulmonary fibrosis, neuropathy left lower extremity, and neuropathy right lower extremity are remanded due to the need for VA examinations to determine their etiology.

The Board has ordered the Veteran to undergo additional examinations and opinions regarding his renal disease, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, diabetes mellitus, and left knee degenerative joint disease. The issues include determining whether these conditions are related to service-connected disabilities or have resolved during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and the need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with previous directives and a failure to provide proper notice for an examination.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for PTSD and associated disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, gastritis, obstructive sleep apnea, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The July 26, 2011 rating decision granting service connection was not found to be clearly and unmistakably erroneous.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to inadequate examination in April 2019. The examiner was instructed to provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that any current neurologic condition, including peripheral neuropathy, is related to his active duty military service, to include as due to herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for a right thigh scar but has remanded the issue of service connection for neuropathy, as it is unclear whether the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service injury.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for peripheral neuropathy in all extremities due to insufficient information and a need for further medical examination. The Veteran contends his exposure to Agent Orange during service is related to his current condition.

PTSD was granted with a rating of 50% prior to May 15, 2018.,PN LLE received an initial rating of 20% from July 31, 2014 to May 15, 2018 and is denied for higher ratings thereafter. PN RLE was granted a 20% rating prior to September 4, 2012 and increased to 40% after that date.

The claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus has been granted. The claim for service connection for neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty about the nature of the Veteran's upper extremity symptoms and outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a neurologic disability, which he claims includes peripheral neuropathy and carpal tunnel syndrome. He believes his current symptoms are separate from his previously diagnosed carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities and gout, finding that a new VA examination is needed to assess current severity and service connection determinations require clarification.

The Veteran's right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy are rated at the maximum of 40 percent each, which is the highest rating available under the applicable diagnostic codes.,The Veteran's right lower extremity (sciatic nerve) peripheral neuropathy and left lower extremity (sciatic nerve) peripheral neuropathy are both rated at 40 percent, as this represents the highest rating possible for these conditions based on the severity of symptoms described in his medical records.,The Veteran's right lower extremity (femoral nerve) peripheral neuropathy is rated at 20 percent and left lower extremity (femoral nerve) peripheral neuropathy is also rated at 20 percent, which are the highest ratings available for these conditions based on the severity of symptoms described in his medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psoriatic arthritis and its relationship to his carpal tunnel syndrome and right ulnar neuropathy/cubital tunnel syndrome. Additional medical records are needed, as well as an addendum opinion from a VA physician.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant withdrew his claims before a decision was made.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral feet is related to cold injuries sustained during his military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The appeal regarding service connection for a back condition is dismissed. The appeal regarding entitlement to service connection for neuropathy is remanded.

The Board has remanded the issue of TDIU due to the inextricably intertwined issues of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep condition and memory loss. The Veteran's current combined evaluation is at 60 percent.