Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to the need for further development and readjudication. The issues of entitlement to service connection for bilaterally shortened metatarsals and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy or numbness are being addressed.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of both upper and lower extremities are granted. The Board also found that the Veteran does not have a right shoulder or right hip disability related to his active-duty service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability has been granted as aggravating her vertebral compression fractures and neuropathy of the feet. The Veteran also received increased ratings for various lower extremity disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and opinion.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle and right ankle disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examination and opinion.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are being remanded due to the need for additional examination and opinion.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and opinion.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of gastrointestinal and genitourinary disabilities, as well as bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and hypertension. Service connection is granted for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy with dystonia, and left lower and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathies due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of PTSD, ischemic optic neuropathy, coronary artery disease, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity have been dismissed as withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an anxiety disorder has also been dismissed as withdrawn.,Beginning May 18, 2018, the Veteran is in receipt of a total schedular rating due to his service-connected disabilities. The issue of entitlement to TDIU beginning May 18, 2018, was dismissed as moot.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, finding a medical nexus between in-service herbicide exposure and these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding the ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities.

The Veteran's service-connected type II diabetes is linked to his bilateral lower and upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, multiple myeloma, prostate cancer, and erectile dysfunction.,The Veteran has been granted service connection for type II diabetes, multiple myeloma, prostate cancer, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and erectile dysfunction due to exposure to herbicide agents in service.

The Board has dismissed all appeals for effective dates earlier than July 1, 2016, as the Veteran died during the pendency of these appeals.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of February 1, 2017 for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus and related diabetic neuropathies of both upper and lower extremities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including low back disability, neck disability, bipolar disorder, type II diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, and neuropathies. The Board found no in-service incurrence of these disabilities or evidence linking them to active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and evaluations to determine the current severity of his service-connected left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, as well as any entitlement to special monthly compensation due to these disabilities. The effective date remains unknown.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with prior directives and a need for an independent medical opinion. The Veteran's lower extremity neuropathy is being evaluated further.

The Veteran's service-connected mitochondrial myopathy and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities result in actual loss of use of the lower extremities, meeting the criteria for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or other conveyance.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral upper extremity neurological symptoms, including peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran needs a new VA examination by a Neurologist to determine if he has any diagnosis related to his service-connected conditions or if his current symptoms are linked to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for total disability due to individual unemployability is granted effective September 24, 2015. The appeals regarding the ratings for coronary artery disease and type II diabetes mellitus are dismissed.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent prior to January 8, 2021 and SMC based on permanent need for regular aid and attendance is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records, including those from Dr. M., and further examination.