Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and Parkinson's disease due to lack of current diagnoses in the June 2021 rating decision. The AOJ is instructed to obtain any outstanding medical records from identified physicians.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of peripheral neuropathy were denied.,Service connection for an intestinal disability was remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II; heart disease; low grade transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder; left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy; right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy; left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy; and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The AOJ is required to conduct development regarding herbicide agent exposure, obtain SSA records, and provide medical opinions on the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and its associated peripheral neuropathies of the bilateral upper and lower extremities. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

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 remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and restless leg syndrome due to incomplete opinions from a VA examiner. The issues remain on appeal.

The Board denied service connection for left upper extremity neuropathy, finding the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of this condition.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy as the Veteran withdrew his appeal through his representative in October 2021.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for Morton's neuroma of the right foot has been denied as the current rating adequately reflects his disability.,A compensable rating is granted for the painful scar on the right hand, with no greater than 10 percent assigned.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for type two diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy are granted. However, due to the need for further development regarding the issues of hypertension and peripheral neuropathy, these cases are being remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral peripheral neuropathy has been rated at 20 percent for both the left and right lower extremities. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating, as the disability was consistently found to be of mild to moderate severity.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is caused by or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and diabetic neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various conditions due to incomplete development. The Veteran's records, including imaging studies and community care records, need to be associated with the file.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any current hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and erectile dysfunction are denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for CAD, diabetes mellitus, left upper extremity neuropathy, right upper extremity neuropathy, left lower extremity neuropathy and right lower extremity neuropathy due to exposure to Agent Orange during service in Korea.,The Veteran's testimony at a Board hearing and lay statements indicate he was exposed to commercial herbicides used for clearing foliage around the perimeter of his base in Korea.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is related to presumed in-service herbicide agent exposure and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected back and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy disabilities caused him to become obese, which contributed substantially to his death from congestive heart failure.

The Veteran meets the schedular requirements for TDIU and his service-connected disabilities are so severe as to preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to a failure to obtain VA etiological opinions regarding possible causal linkages between his conditions and service, as well as other duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has remanded the claims for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and headaches due to potential errors in the duty to assist. The cervical spine disability claim remains denied.