Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2020

The Veteran's initial ratings for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were granted, with effective dates of December 4, 2009. The decision also granted an earlier effective date of March 11, 2011, for the service connection of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depression with anxiety and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment from July 1, 2009 to October 14, 2015. The Board granted a TDIU for this period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his exposure to Camp Lejeune contaminated water, as he served at the base for over a month. The VA is instructed to obtain medical opinions regarding whether each of the claimed conditions are related to this exposure.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for service connection of hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity before a decision was made.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disability is granted. The claims for an increased rating for low back disability and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims, including for cirrhosis of the liver, GERD, prostate enlargement, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine (neck condition), and bilateral upper extremity neuropathy. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for prostate cancer and bilateral peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure, specifically Agent Orange. The AOJ is instructed to verify if the Veteran served at RTAFB in Takhli, Thailand, where he was exposed to Agent Orange.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension, left upper extremity neuropathy, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's left shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent from April 1, 2011.,The appeal is remanded to determine if the Veteran should be granted a higher rating for his left shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of his cervical spine disability and neuropathy. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for radiculopathy or cervical spine disabilities.

The Veteran's right hip was rated at the 100 percent level from June 1, 2014 to May 1, 2015 based on a 13-month convalescence period. After that, he received a 70 percent rating for marked severe residuals of weakness, pain, or limitation of motion.,The Veteran's service-connected hypertension was found to have contributed substantially to his cause of death (adult respiratory distress syndrome and pneumonia with cardiac arrest).

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss, peripheral neuropathy (PN) of the right upper extremity, and peripheral neuropathy (PN) of both lower extremities.,There is no evidence that the Veteran's claimed conditions manifested within one year after his separation from active service or are otherwise related to his military service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, with peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities and diabetic retinopathy with early cataracts of both eyes is granted an increased rating to 40 percent.

The Veteran's claimed peripheral neuropathy and carpal tunnel syndrome were not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing onset during or within one year after service, and no continuity of symptoms.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy, loss of muscle in the right upper extremity, neck disability, and sinusitis are all being reviewed for possible service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar stenosis and left lower extremity neuropathy, as these issues are inextricably intertwined with his service connection claim. The VA will obtain medical records and verify all of the Veteran’s periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have worsened, and he requires a wheelchair to move around. The Board has ordered a VA examination to determine if his conditions meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or special home adaptation grant.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities as there was no medical evidence showing a diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy, due to in-service exposure to Agent Orange. The Veteran served on ships within the 12 nautical mile territorial sea of Vietnam during the Vietnam Era.

The Veteran's service connection claim for idiopathic neuropathy, to include as due to Gulf War Illness, is being remanded for further development and an opinion regarding the etiology of his condition.