Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was denied. The Board found the level of impairment to be most analogous to mild incomplete paralysis. The Veteran's sleep apnea claim is remanded due to failure to obtain relevant service treatment records and VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right knee arthritis, left shoulder arthritis, and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, were denied as the evidence did not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to his active duty service. The claim for diabetes was withdrawn by the Veteran's representative.

The Veteran's sciatic neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities associated with pes planus is being remanded for additional development. The TDIU issue is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the issues on appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for cervical neuropathy, associated with TMD due to inadequate examination reports and failure to address flare-ups.

A 20 percent rating is granted for peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity from January 6, 2014 to November 8, 2019.,A 20 percent rating is granted for peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity from January 6, 2014 to November 8, 2019. The claim for increased evaluation for peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity, initially rated at 20 percent from January 6, 2014 onwards is denied.,A 30 percent rating is granted for peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity from November 9, 2019 onwards.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical opinions. The Veteran's service connection claims are being returned to VA for these purposes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to new evidence received since the last statement of the case. The issues include service connection for various conditions, including coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, all presumed to be related to herbicide exposure.

Service connection for diabetes, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and hypertension is granted. Service connection for a heart disability, prostate disability, erectile dysfunction, and an acquired psychiatric disability is remanded.

An increased disability rating of 40 percent for lumbar myositis with discogenic disease (back disability) is granted from July 12, 2012 to May 10, 2016.,Higher initial disability ratings of 20 percent are granted for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy and peripheral neuropathy from July 12, 2012.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of both upper and lower extremities was not manifested in service, within a year following his last exposure to Agent Orange, or within a year following his discharge from active duty. The preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that it is etiologically related to his service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right hip tendonitis is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine.

The Board has denied service connection for lung disorder, to include lung cancer and remanded the issues of peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower bilateral extremities.

The Board has determined that another VA examination is needed to determine the existence, nature, and etiology of any peripheral neuropathy affecting the Veteran's upper and lower extremities. The examiner should also address whether the service-connected coronary artery disease caused or aggravated the peripheral neuropathy.

The RO granted service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral vascular disease and assigned a 20 percent evaluation, effective July 12, 2011. The Veteran appealed for earlier effective dates.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient information regarding his in-service exposure to herbicide, chemical, radiation, or biological agents. The AOJ is instructed to request confirmation of these exposures from the Army’s Chief of the Medical Investigation Department at Fort Detrick, Maryland.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including polyneuropathy and diabetes mellitus, all claimed as secondary to hazardous environmental exposure at Fort McClellan. The VA will undertake additional development regarding potential exposures to radioactive compounds, chemical warfare agents, PCBs, and other toxic substances.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of his right knee condition and left lower extremity neurological condition.,The Veteran has multiple conditions that were found to be related to service or secondary to other service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at the highest possible level of 50 percent, effective from the date of the decision.,PTSD with major depression, panic disorder, and cognitive disorder is granted at a 70 percent rating prior to October 15, 2019.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of both left and right lower extremities is related to his in-service herbicide agent exposure, specifically Agent Orange. As a result, service connection for these conditions is granted.