Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and related conditions have prevented him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment since November 4, 2015. The Board granted his TDIU claim based on the severity of his disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for a TDIU prior to September 11, 2015. The Board found that his service-connected conditions were not of sufficient severity to produce unemployability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and a need for clarification on his claimed conditions.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with the prior remand requests and requires further development for both diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities.

The Veteran's diabetes and related peripheral neuropathy in the lower extremities have been granted service connection. The claim for hypertension, heart disease, upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and rheumatoid arthritis is remanded.

The Board has determined that the effective dates for service connection of peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities should be October 24, 2012. The case is now REMANDED to obtain clarification on whether the December 2019 VA examiner examined the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities.

The Board denied service connection for neuropathy of the right upper extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity as there was no evidence of a chronic disease noted in service or within one year after separation. The Veteran's symptoms began many years after his separation from service.,Service connection for OSA was denied due to lack of a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic sinusitis with headaches, PUD, appendectomy scar, frostbite residuals of the right foot, and PN of the bilateral feet has been reopened. Effective May 13, 2010, service connection was granted for left foot PN. An effective date prior to April 18, 2011, is denied for all other issues.,Right foot conditions, including hallux valgus and plantar fibroma status post fascial injury, are remanded for clarification of their etiology.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of Parkinson’s disease and its secondary effects on peripheral neuropathy in both legs due to the death of the appellant.

The Board denied service connection for intervertebral disc disease and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that these conditions were not caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected left foot pes cavus. The Board also denied entitlement to specially adapted housing and special home adaptation.

The Board has granted service connection for Parkinson's disease and peripheral neuropathy of multiple extremities due to exposure to contaminated waters during military service. The Veteran was exposed to toxins while diving in the Hudson River and at Caven Point, New Jersey.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (likely PTSD) has been dismissed. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for peripheral neuropathy in all four extremities due to herbicide exposure and/or as secondary to diabetes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's service connection claim for a nerve disorder of the right upper extremity, including peripheral neuropathy and carpal tunnel syndrome, due to exposure to tactical herbicides. The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and arranging for an appropriate healthcare provider to review the claims file and provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's nerve disorder had its onset during service or is due to an event or incident of his period of active service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for various service-connected conditions was dismissed. The Board found that the Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding PTSD, and denied all other issues due to lack of evidence supporting higher ratings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and effective dates have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were denied as the evidence did not support a finding of severe incomplete paralysis or complete paralysis, which are required for higher ratings.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to issues with the adequacy of previous examinations and opinions, as well as the need to address potential secondary service connection based on herbicide exposure and other factors.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on loss of use of one foot, both feet or both legs was denied as he did not have such anatomical loss or loss of use.,The Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance was denied as there was no indication that he required regular aid and assistance due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities as secondary to service-connected Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The Board has decided the appeal is remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, including its relationship to service and any service-connected conditions.