Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities due to new evidence and updated medical records being needed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, shoulder disorders, and knee disorders due to secondary service-connected conditions or exposure to herbicides. The Veteran's service records indicate he served in the U.S. Navy from April 1966 until March 1968.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were granted a rating of 20 percent effective January 17, 2018. Prior to that date, the conditions were rated at 10 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, as well as for the torso. The evidence does not show a current diagnosis of any of these conditions.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, type II. The claims for increased evaluations and effective dates are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's initial higher ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are denied as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating higher than 20 percent prior to June 26, 2017, and higher than 40 percent since that date.,Compensable ratings for peripheral neuropathy involving the external cutaneous nerve of the thighs are also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining updated medical treatment records and a clarifying medical opinion to address the 'no diagnosis' findings of left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy in prior VA examinations.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and IVDS of the thoracolumbar spine are now rated at 60 percent, effective November 8, 2018. Peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities is granted with specific ratings.

The Board has determined that there are outstanding private medical records relevant to the Veteran's claims and has ordered their retrieval. The Veteran is also asked to provide any additional private medical records from her providers.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right upper extremity disabilities, but has found that additional development is needed due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic lower back pain, peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities due to lack of evidence establishing a nexus between these conditions and his active service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and increased evaluations, with all conditions being related to diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for right and left lower extremity small fiber neuropathy and radiculopathy remain at 20 percent, as the symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

Service connection is granted for major depressive disorder.,The claim for service connection for a tonsil condition, low back disability, headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, BPH, nerve conditions of the lower and upper extremities, and skin rash is denied.

The Veteran's current CIDP was not incurred or related to active service, and the Board denied service connection for CIDP as it is not directly linked to his military duties.

The Board denied service connection for right upper extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as well as hypertension. The decision found that the Veteran's symptoms did not manifest during or within one year after his separation from active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal for a higher evaluation of his right inguinal hernia with genito-femoral nerve neuropathy and surgical scar was not timely filed, and thus denied. The claim is being remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and schedule the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus and its secondary disabilities due to incomplete records, inadequate VA examination, and in-service evidence.

The Board has remanded all reopened service connection claims for accrued benefits purposes due to the need for additional records and a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC). The issues include cause of death, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, PTSD and depressive disorder, bowel condition, and Parkinson’s disease.