Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's mixed polyneuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is rated at 30 percent from October 3, 2007 to May 29, 2015.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and testicular hypofunction are secondary to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea, coronary artery disease, and/or PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his left shoulder disability and other conditions, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to the severity of his disabilities. The Board found that he was unemployable from performing all forms of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity femoral neuropathy is found to be a result of the April 2002 cardiac surgery at VA, and it was caused by negligence on the part of VA. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is granted.

The Board dismissed all appeals due to the Veteran's death, as it has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims at this time.

The Board denied increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, cataracts, and occasional diplopia due to diabetic ophthalmoplegia. The claims were remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and other disabilities have been rated as 100% disabling, qualifying him for special monthly compensation at the rate specified in 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s). The claim is dismissed because the criteria are met.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disorder is currently rated as 20 percent disabled, but the evidence does not support a higher rating due to lack of forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less during flare-ups or repetitive use. The left and right knee disorders are both rated at 10 percent.,The Veteran's TBI, CFS, neuropathy of the upper extremities, and neuropathy of the lower extremity have not been service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with a previous directive regarding the impact of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his ability to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for further evaluation due to insufficient etiology opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral upper extremity neuropathy, specifically whether it is related to herbicide agent exposure or secondary to his service-connected low back condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to incomplete VA treatment records, inadequate previous examination, and need for a new opinion regarding causation. The examiner must consider the Veteran’s reports of symptoms starting in service and continuing from that time.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in evaluating the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to work. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to assess the severity of his frostbite residuals and peripheral neuropathy, as well as any other conditions he may have.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to new evidence indicating worsening of his peripheral neuropathy and rosacea, as well as potential exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right ear hearing loss, right knee disability, nasal problems, sleep apnea, respiratory disability (to include asthma and COPD), right upper extremity ulnar neuropathy, left upper extremity ulnar neuropathy, PTSD, and social anxiety due to conflicting medical opinions and lack of clear and unmistakable aggravation.

The Veteran's appeals for a rating in excess of 20 percent for a lumbar spine disability, service connection for polyneuropathy of the extremities, and service connection for hypertension have been dismissed. The Veteran is granted an initial 30 percent rating for IBS-C over the entire appeal period.

The Board has decided one issue on appeal and remanded the remaining issues for further development. Additional development is necessary, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left wrist peripheral neuropathy prior to October 17, 2016 due to inadequate consideration of relevant medical evidence in previous decisions.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU rating.

The Board denied claims for service connection for various conditions, including alcohol dependence and its secondary effects on other conditions, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service.