Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus type II (previously rated as diabetes mellitus type II with nephropathy and retinopathy) is denied. The evidence does not show that the Veteran requires regulation of his activities due to diabetes, which would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to July 7, 2008.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability and remanded it due to new evidence suggesting an in-service injury. The VA examiner will be asked to provide an opinion on whether the current back disabilities are related to service.,The Veteran's right lower extremity neuropathy, kidney disability, gastrointestinal disability, and right thigh disability are all secondary to her thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is not service connected due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between the conditions and his military service, including exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral lower and upper extremity peripheral neuropathy due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate consideration of the Veteran's lay statements and allegations of symptoms from discharge to the present in the VA examination opinion. A new VA examination is needed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are likely to prevent him from securing and maintaining gainful employment, leading to a TDIU. The claims for increased ratings in various conditions are remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and diabetic neuropathy is remanded due to the need to verify his exposure to Agent Orange during military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to insufficient development of medical opinions regarding the severity and etiology of his condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate consideration of the Veteran's lay statements and allegations of symptoms from discharge to the present. A new VA examination is needed to address these issues.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The claims are being remanded to obtain relevant medical records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, left foot disability, and right foot disability due to inadequate examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the nature and etiology of his bilateral foot, wrist, and hand disabilities. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. Service connection for hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claim for BPH was denied. For the initial rating period prior to November 3, 2014, his right and left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy were each rated at 10%. Beginning November 3, 2014, a 20% rating was granted for both conditions. A TDIU was granted effective April 18, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, to include as due to herbicide exposure (Agent Orange), is remanded for further development. The Board finds that more evidence is needed to determine if his condition is related to his military service.

The appeal with respect to entitlement to service connection for stenosis of the left leg is dismissed.,The previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is reopened, and the Veteran's tinnitus is granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The claims for lower extremity neuropathy are also granted.

The Board has determined that the VA examination report is insufficient for adjudication and requires an addendum to address whether the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is related to his military service, including exposure to herbicide agents.

For the initial rating period from March 31, 2008 to November 24, 2010, a disability rating higher than 10 percent for diabetes mellitus was denied.,From November 24, 2010 onwards, a disability rating higher than 20 percent for diabetes mellitus was denied.,For the initial rating period from March 31, 2008 to September 6, 2016, a disability rating higher than 20 percent for left upper extremity (LUE) peripheral neuropathy and right upper extremity (RUE) peripheral neuropathy was denied.

The Veteran's chronic mechanical lumbar spine syndrome with left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted as service connected. The issues of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and erectile dysfunction are remanded.