Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and diabetes mellitus have been dismissed. The issues of service connection for erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the right leg and foot, and TDIU prior to February 28, 2018 are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection for a lipoma on the right forearm is granted, and his initial disability rating greater than 10 percent for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy (previously characterized as diabetic neuropathy) remains denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for further development regarding service connection, ratings for femoral nerve disorders, and etiology of right hip disorder.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding B-cell chronic lymphocytic lymphoma and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities as the appellant withdrew the appeal under the legacy framework in favor of an appeal under the AMA framework.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, as his mobility issues are compensated by the assigned ratings for his disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is remanded due to inadequate examination and failure to obtain updated VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development and need for further examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a new medical opinion to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected left lower extremity neuropathy. The issues of an increased rating for left knee arthritis and left lower extremity neuropathy are still pending, as is the TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left upper extremity neuropathy and carpal tunnel syndrome, specifically whether it is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from obtaining and maintaining a substantially gainful occupation since January 31, 2008. The Board has granted an extraschedular TDIU rating for this period.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is remanded for a VA examination to determine its etiology, including whether it is related to in-service herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cold injury sequela peripheral sensory neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy/carpal tunnel syndrome are being remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an anxiety disorder is being remanded, as well as his eligibility for benefits for the period from August 22, 2013 to March 1, 2018. The TDIU prior to September 19, 2018 is also being remanded.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of a TDIU is inextricably intertwined with these issues and must be addressed as well.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection on all issues related to his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and adjudication due to incomplete evaluations of the Veteran's right elbow disability, including a lack of findings on a Peripheral Nerves Conditions DBQ.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient VA and Social Security records being available.

The Veteran's service-connected sleep apnea, lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, left lower extremity diabetic neuropathy, and right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy have been granted. The Veteran also received a TDIU determination.

The Board has granted service connection for right deep peroneal nerve neuropathy associated with the Veteran's service-connected right ankle condition. The issue of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for his right ankle condition is remanded due to inadequate examination findings.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The effective date for this grant is January 28, 2016.,Service connection for headaches has been remanded as there is no indication that a formal or informal claim was filed prior to January 28, 2016.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for breast cancer and diabetes mellitus, type 2 are remanded due to potential exposure to asbestos during service. Addendum opinions will be obtained regarding the relationship between these conditions and service.,Service connection for a right eye cataract is remanded as there is no indication of in-service injury or disease related to this condition.,Service connection for a heart disability, hypertension, and neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities are all remanded. Addendum opinions will be obtained regarding these conditions.,Service connection for headaches remains remanded due to insufficient evidence on record.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities is remanded as there is no indication of in-service injury or disease related to this condition.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2 is remanded as there is no indication of in-service injury or disease related to this condition.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 30 percent for headaches remains remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including heart disability, chronic kidney disease, respiratory disorder, back disability, thyroid disability, diabetes mellitus, and neuropathy are remanded due to the need for further development regarding exposure to ionizing radiation in service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to diabetes mellitus due to a lack of current diagnosis of these conditions.