Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for service connection of left lower extremity arterial occlusive disease is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of alternative theories of entitlement. The claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy are also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right lower extremity neuropathy, claimed as due to herbicide agent exposure, are remanded due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service injury, event, or disease that would support such a claim.

The Board has ordered a remand to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral upper extremity and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, including whether it is related to his military service or any service-connected disabilities. The Veteran was also asked to provide an opinion on whether his condition is secondary to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities have been reopened, and service connection has been granted. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the issue of TDIU prior to October 26, 2016 due to insufficient evidence in the record regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable.

The Veteran's death benefits were granted, but the Appellant was denied accrued benefits. The Board finds an error in the RO's decision and remands for a substitution determination to allow the Appellant to submit additional evidence.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of September 12, 2013 for the award of service connection for other specified depressive disorder and a higher initial rating of 10 percent for right cranial nerve V neuropathy. The appellant is entitled to attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the February 2021 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus and its associated peripheral neuropathy in all extremities due to a lack of a VA examination. The Veteran's exposure during service is not specified.

The Board has referred the issues of service connection for various disabilities to the AOJ for adjudication. The AOJ must address these intertwined claims before determining whether the appellant can be considered a veteran.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and prostate cancer were granted a disability rating of 20 percent, effective October 13, 2020. The decision also denied higher ratings for these conditions.

The Veteran's right little finger ankylosis is rated at 10 percent prior to August 15, 2019 and in excess of 10 percent thereafter.,A separate 10 percent rating for limitation of motion of the thumb (right hand) has been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of left hand peripheral neuropathy or heart disability, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied. The claim for service connection for a heart disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including end-stage renal disease and peripheral neuropathy, have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment since April 13, 2010. The Board has granted a TDIU effective from that date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower left and right peripheral neuropathy due to insufficient evidence, including a lack of competent medical evidence linking the conditions to his military service. A VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient clarification of when the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy began, and whether it is related to his in-service herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates are being remanded due to a new service department record that was not considered by the agency of original jurisdiction.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities have all been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal in September 2020.

The Veteran's appeal for attorney fees related to the October 2014 rating decision is denied as his former attorney was not eligible due to the lack of a valid NOD on TDIU and DEA claims.

The Board denied service connection for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to Agent Orange exposure, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his in-service exposure.