Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for service connection for renal calculus, diabetes mellitus, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are being remanded due to the need for additional development. Specifically, a new VA examination is required to assess the nature and etiology of any diagnosed renal calculus disability, including whether it is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus. Additionally, the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy are being remanded as well.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are each rated at 40 percent, effective from the date of the April 2012 VA examination.

The Veteran's asbestosis is rated at 60 percent, but no higher. Service connection for bilateral lower extremity neuropathy and radiculopathy for sciatic nerve is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for multiple sclerosis, right leg neuropathy, left leg neuropathy, and bilateral optic neuritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected multiple sclerosis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional clarification regarding his service-connected conditions and their current severity.

The Board has denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and active military service.

The Veteran's initial claim for increased ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy affecting both lower extremities was granted, with a 40% rating effective May 9, 2017. The Veteran is now rated at the maximum schedular rating available.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 40 percent, coronary artery disease (CAD) at 30 percent, and peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities at 20 percent. The appeal for higher ratings on these conditions has been granted.

The Board denied service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, left upper and lower extremity neuropathies, right upper and lower extremity neuropathies, as well as service connection for specially adapted housing. The Veteran's type II diabetes was not related to his service or service-connected conditions. His bilateral knee disabilities did not cause his diagnosed diabetic neuropathy.

The Board has remanded several issues related to peripheral neuropathy and sleep disorder, including service connection for these conditions. The AOJ must obtain additional medical records and provide the Veteran with VA examinations to assess whether his disabilities are related to military service or other events.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to exposure at Camp Lejeune. A VA medical opinion is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his service.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU since February 2016, but the claim for prior to that period is denied. The decision focuses on his right knee disability and its impact on his ability to work.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to exposure to herbicide agents for skin rash, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities as secondary to diabetes mellitus. The RO must readjudicate these issues with consideration of all evidence since the April 2015 SOC.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for eye disability, initial evaluation of bilateral hearing loss, and psychiatric disability are all denied. The Veteran also does not meet the criteria for an aid and attendance allowance or a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral foot condition, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current conditions and his in-service injuries.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy in all four upper and lower extremities, finding that the condition was not incurred or aggravated by service, including as due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, prostate disorder, and ED were denied as they are not related to service.,The Veteran's claims for cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, right foot disorder, and left foot disorder were also denied as they are not related to service.

The Board denied service connection for a left calf muscle disability and peripheral neuropathy of the left leg, finding no current disabilities exist and that there is no causal relationship between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's CAD and peripheral neuropathy are being remanded for further evaluation due to the Board not providing adequate reasons in bases in its adjudication of these disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that the severity was due to nonservice-connected alcohol abuse rather than diabetes.