Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2021

The Board has denied service connection for left lower, right lower, left upper, and right upper extremity neuropathy as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or caused by military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer and other specified trauma and stress related disorder (formerly PTSD), have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since August 1, 2015.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of diabetes mellitus type II and a TDIU was denied. The Board found that the criteria for higher ratings were not met, and the combined disability rating did not meet the threshold for a TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities due to herbicide exposure. Service connection was denied for the upper extremities.

The Veteran's skin disability, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and GERD have been granted service connection. The heart disability and restless leg syndrome are remanded for further development.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the claims of a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for peripheral neuropathy.

The Board denied service connection for numbness in the face (mask area) as secondary to diabetes mellitus due to lack of a current diagnosis and no causal relationship established. The TDIU claim is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of his condition.

The Board found that the severance of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities was improper due to a lack of clear and unmistakable evidence showing the condition did not manifest within one year of last exposure to Agent Orange. The Veteran's symptoms were presumed related to his Vietnam-era service.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for peripheral neuropathies due to in-service herbicide exposure and/or contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The case is being returned for further development.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is granted a 40 percent rating. For the left lower extremity, he received a 40 percent rating prior to February 23, 2015 and a 60 percent rating from January 22, 2016 to July 29, 2019. From July 30, 2019 forward, the Veteran's left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is denied any higher ratings.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted from July 17, 2013. The service connection for bilateral hearing loss claim is remanded due to insufficient rationale in the VA opinions.

The Veteran's appeal of the issues related to his foot disability, tinnitus, DM, and associated conditions have been withdrawn. The claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted due to continuous symptoms since service.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity neuropathy and neuroma have been granted separate ratings, with the neuroma receiving a 10 percent rating. The RO has also denied increased ratings for right and left lower extremity neuropathy since December 13, 2019.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives and the need for an addendum opinion regarding service connection for polyneuropathy, including Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, related to radiation exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development due to issues related to his lung cancer residuals and peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, a right shoulder disability, and a left shoulder disability (secondary to the right shoulder).

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, as well as residuals of stroke. Service connection was denied for scars on the back of leg and feet.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to deficiencies in the medical opinions provided. The claims are related to skin disorders, lumbar spine disorders, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of various upper and lower extremities.