Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2020

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his active service or to exposure to herbicides. The Board also found that the Veteran did not have early-onset peripheral neuropathy associated with his presumed exposure to herbicides.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to repetitive impact injuries sustained during in-service paratrooping assignments.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, chronic bronchitis, and skin ulcers due to incomplete records and potential exposure to toxic herbicides in service.

The Board has decided that service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities is granted. The issues of service connection for a skin condition, peripheral neuropathy left upper extremity, and peripheral neuropathy right upper extremity are remanded due to lack of consideration of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate opinions regarding service connection for left wrist disability and neuropathy of bilateral upper extremities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations and opinions to determine the nature and etiology of his cervical, shoulder, back, knee, and extremity disabilities. The claims are being returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to outstanding private and VA treatment records, incomplete employment information, and the need for examinations regarding his service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities and upper extremity neuropathies.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his service connection claims for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, depression, stress, and alcohol abuse. The issues of service connection for these conditions are now remanded due to new evidence received since the last final decisions.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for bilateral lower extremity cold injuries and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, as well as his claim of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the May 2008 rating decision that granted service connection.

The Board has decided that a remand is necessary to obtain VA treatment records and to provide the Veteran with a VA examination to assess his peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to incomplete development. The issues include bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, hearing loss, hypertension (secondary), coronary artery disease, insomnia, and TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 100% rating effective October 12, 2018.,An increased rating of 70% for right upper extremity diabetic neuropathy is granted effective January 29, 2020.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent, and the Board found no evidence to warrant a higher rating.,The Veteran's thoracic osteoarthritis is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board determined that the disability does not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.,The Veteran was granted separate ratings of 10 percent each for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, as his symptoms are analogous to mild incomplete paralysis of the femoral nerve.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus was denied due to lack of evidence showing chronicity in service or continuity of symptomatology post-service.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is not considered service-connected.

The Board dismissed all appeals for service connection due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his claims.

The Veteran's initial ratings for sural mononeuropathy of the right and left lower extremities are denied, but he is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher disability ratings or a separate rating for radiculopathy of femoral nerves prior to October 13, 2017. For the period since October 13, 2017, the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were remanded.

The Veteran is granted eligibility for specially adapted housing due to his service-connected lumbar degenerative disc disease with IVDS and bilateral lower extremities neuropathy, which precludes locomotion without assistive devices. Eligibility for automobile or adaptive equipment was denied as the Veteran does not meet the criteria of loss of use of a hand or foot.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected left ankle disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the VA did not provide adequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy claims, specifically related to his contention of delayed onset due to herbicide exposure. The case is being remanded for further development and consideration.

The Board has denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy and remanded the issue of service connection for residuals of bamboo poisoning. The case is now being returned to VA for further development.