Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeals regarding whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for depression, right upper extremity neuropathy, and left upper extremity neuropathy have all been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals, status post left knee medial meniscectomy is remanded.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for right leg tibial neuropathy, finding the evidence did not support such an increase.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he continues to operate his own bingo supply business and only missed one week of work in the past year. The evidence does not support a finding of marginal employment.

The Board has dismissed the claim for service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to service-connected DM-II due to a full grant of the benefit sought on appeal. The remaining issues have been remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left-sided neuropathy condition, finding that it began during his active service and is related to in-service chemical exposure. The claim for a chronic sinus disorder was not addressed.

The Board has determined that the remand directives have not been substantially complied with and therefore another remand is required. The case will be returned to the Board after compliance with appellate procedures.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and related neuropathy conditions have been granted a temporary increased rating of 40 percent from June 7, 2017 to November 5, 2019. Prior to this period, the Veteran's diabetes mellitus was rated at 20 percent, while his diabetic peripheral neuropathy has not met criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and the need for a new VA examination. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II, along with its complications such as neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities and hypertension, will be evaluated.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy, bilateral upper extremities. The claims of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and bladder cancer are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity neuropathy as they were granted in a February 2020 rating decision.,The Board has also dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, headaches, deviated septum, and pharyngitis due to lack of evidence showing these conditions are related to his time in service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected diabetic polyneuropathy and differentiate between its effects from his service-connected disabilities and nonservice-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, excluding diabetes and bilateral leg peripheral neuropathy, render him in need of regular aid and attendance. The Veteran is currently receiving SMC under Subsection (l) based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than November 14, 2014 are being remanded due to the complexity of the issues and the need for clarification from the Veteran regarding her appeals.

The Board has determined that more development is necessary for the claims of service connection for various disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, high blood pressure, arthritis, and kidney and bladder stones. The Veteran's exposure to non-ionizing radiation from radar equipment during his military service will be considered as part of this process.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, finding no evidence to support exposure to Agent Orange in the Philippines during the Veteran's service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and his claim for a TDIU due to outstanding VA treatment records and an assessment of the aggregate effect of his service-connected disabilities on his functionality.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective date issues due to incomplete development or procedural errors.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, peripheral neuropathy of upper extremities associated with degenerative disc disease of lumbar spine, and peripheral neuropathy of lower extremities associated with degenerative disc disease of lumbar spine due to inadequate VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, finding that his current diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy is proximately due to his diabetes.

The Board has granted entitlement to TDIU prior to April 23, 2019. The claim for service connection for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation is remanded due to inadequate opinion.