Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the cases due to a duty to assist error and the need for additional evidence, particularly private treatment records from Premier Neurological Services in Canton, Georgia.

The Veteran's initial rating for CAD in excess of 60 percent prior to July 21, 2011, and in excess of 30 percent from July 21, 2011, to September 10, 2018, is denied. The remaining issues related to eligibility for specially adapted housing, SMC based on loss of use of the legs, and financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment are also denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensably disabling. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a compensable rating for this condition.,The Veteran asserts service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, to include as secondary to herbicide exposure. However, the AOJ has not attempted to verify his claimed herbicide exposure and thus remand is necessary to attempt verification of such exposure.,The Veteran asserts service connection for bilateral upper neuropathy, to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus, herbicide exposure, and/or a lightning strike in service. Remand is necessary to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.,The Veteran asserts service connection for bilateral lower neuropathy, to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus, herbicide exposure, and/or a lightning strike in service. Remand is necessary to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.,The Veteran asserts service connection for a stomach disability. The AOJ has not provided an opinion on this issue and thus remand is necessary.,The Veteran asserts service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disability. Remand is necessary to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.,The Veteran asserts service connection for a sleep disability (claimed as sleep apnea), to include as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disability. Remand is necessary to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange. The case is sent back for a new medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate efforts by the RO in obtaining VA treatment records from 1972 to 2000. The Veteran is asked to clarify his arthritis and neuropathy claims, and any relevant private treatment records are sought.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and neuropathy of the bilateral feet as secondary to diabetes mellitus. The Veteran was presumed exposed to herbicide agents during his service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity were denied because he failed to appear for VA examinations without providing good cause.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, depression, and neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to additional development being necessary.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his right foot scar and neuropathy has been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding other foot disabilities.,Separate evaluations are also being considered for residuals of a right foot shrapnel injury, including hallux valgus and bilateral degenerative joint disease.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to conflicting evidence regarding a current diagnosis and etiology.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of this decision. The Board also granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the Veteran's claims for PTSD, left ear hearing loss, diabetes, and peripheral neuropathy. However, due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, these claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities. The issue of special monthly compensation based on housebound criteria is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's service connection claims for obstructive sleep apnea, lumbar spine degenerative changes, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have all been granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for cervical spine, lumbar spine, left lower extremity neuropathy, left upper extremity neuropathy, and neck scar disabilities due to a predecisional duty to assist error. The Veteran's service records show in-service treatment for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence of early-onset peripheral neuropathy during or within one year after service. The Veteran's lay statements regarding exposure to herbicide agents were not considered probative due to lack of supporting medical opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and secondary service connection due to insufficient opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's low back degenerative joint disease and his left leg neuropathy, specifically whether it is proximately due or aggravated by a service-connected knee condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus with right first metatarsophalangeal joint traumatic arthritis, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and other conditions, are severe enough to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, left lower extremity, right upper extremity, and right lower extremity as not related to active service or Agent Orange exposure.