Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of his low back disability and service connection for right ulnar neuropathy was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or intervertebral disc syndrome, and also determined there was no link between the current condition and either service or the service-connected disabilities.

The claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II has been reopened and is being remanded.,Claims for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities are also being remanded. The claims for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower and left lower extremities will be addressed after resolving the diabetes mellitus, type II claim.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis and left leg neuropathy, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service injuries.

The Veteran's claim for revision of the December 1961 rating decision that denied service connection for residuals of aseptic meningitis based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE) was denied as there were no new facts or evidence presented to change the outcome.,The claims for earlier effective dates for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were also denied, as they were adjudicated and denied prior to August 21, 2008, and the Veteran did not file a notice of disagreement within one year.,The claim for TDIU prior to August 21, 2008 was denied due to the Veteran's current receipt of the maximum rating for residuals of meningitis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to presumed in-service herbicide exposure and/or service-connected diabetes mellitus Type II.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes, precluded him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment during the period from January 1, 2005 to April 23, 2012.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection based on a finding of continuous symptoms since service. Service connection for DM, PN of the bilateral lower extremities, and cataracts were denied as there is no evidence of in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various peripheral neuropathies, bladder neuropathy, and optic nerve loss have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower and upper extremities are granted as service connected due to herbicide exposure in Thailand.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to exposure to herbicide agents, finding no evidence of early-onset or persistent symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in loss of use of a foot or feet, permanent impairment of both eyes, severe burn injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ankylosis of a knee or hip. Therefore, the claim for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for various conditions, including right and left leg conditions, neuropathy, an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression and anxiety), hypertension, and a heart condition. The VA is directed to obtain medical records from the South Carolina Department of Corrections and schedule the Veteran for VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome are found to be at least as likely related to his active duty service, including exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, finding that it is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's hypertension and bilateral upper and lower extremity neuropathy are remanded for additional development to determine if they are related to his service, including chemical exposure.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes, vision impairment, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities as secondary to diabetes due to lack of exposure to herbicide agents during active service.

The Veteran's left forearm disability with neuropathy and left elbow epicondylitis have been granted initial ratings.,For the left forearm, a 40% rating has been assigned effective July 18, 2011. For the left elbow epicondylitis, a separate 10% rating is granted effective August 29, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his left knee condition, respiratory conditions, sleep apnea, lower spine disability, and bilateral peripheral neuropathy.