Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2021

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and failure to consider the Veteran's medication use. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to assess his diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to July 27, 2015 did not prevent her from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and other disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.,Service connection was not granted for any of the claimed disabilities due to lack of medical evidence showing a relationship with service.

The Veteran's right lower extremity sural and deep peroneal neuropathy is granted as secondary to his service-connected right ankle degenerative joint disease. Initial ratings for the left foot disability, left foot scar, and right ankle disability are also granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for peripheral neuropathy (PN) of the left and right lower extremities, sciatic nerve. The disability picture was found to be no more than mild incomplete paralysis.

The Veteran's left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is currently rated at 20 percent, but no higher. The Board finds that the symptoms most closely approximate moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was denied. The conditions were rated based on the severity of incomplete paralysis, with no higher ratings available.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, hypertension, and eye disability have been granted. The claim for ischemic heart disease is denied. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper right extremity and an eye disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development due to missing VA treatment records and potential SSA disability benefits records. The Veteran is also required to undergo further medical examinations related to his knee, hip, back, neck, arthritis, foot, diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, erectile dysfunction, eye, lung, and hearing loss conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection of peripheral neuropathy due to incomplete compliance with its March 2020 remand directives.

The Veteran's appeal for increased PTSD rating and service connection for lower extremity neuropathy was dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. Service connection for a psychiatric disorder, heart disorder, bilateral eye disorder, and diabetes mellitus, type II were denied. The issues of service connection for a kidney disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and hypertension are being remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and radiculopathy are currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board has determined that ratings in excess of 10 percent are not warranted based on the current evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his service-connected neuropathy of his left and right legs due to insufficient evidence from recent examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding that his hearing loss began during service or was related to in-service noise exposure, and he failed to meet the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's right foot plantar fasciitis, low back strain, and left leg neuropathy are all granted service connection. The Veteran is awarded a 10% disability rating for his low back strain prior to July 27, 2015, and the claim remains pending for an increased rating thereafter.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral upper extremities neuropathy due to a lack of clarity in the March 2021 VA examination regarding the onset, nature, cause and origin of his bilateral upper extremities conditions. The examiner is asked to provide opinions on whether these conditions are related to service or any other condition.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded for extraschedular consideration due to his service-connected disabilities and inability to secure or maintain employment prior to January 21, 2009.

The Veteran's claims for SMC based on need for aid and attendance of another person, and for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his service-connected conditions and their impact on his daily functioning.