Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, gout, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of all four extremities have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's initial rating for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,For the period from February 27, 2014 to January 2, 2020, the Veteran's initial rating for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity was also denied. The Board found that the condition only approximated mild incomplete paralysis.,The Veteran's initial rating for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity from January 2, 2020 forward was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of herbicide agent exposure during service. The Veteran reported multiple locations, but further research is needed to determine if he was exposed to herbicide agents at any of these locations.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for a head disorder, neck disorder, low back disorder, heart disorder, DM, peripheral neuropathy, and erectile dysfunction. The VA is directed to obtain all relevant records and schedule the Veteran for additional examinations.

The Veteran's diabetes and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy are granted as service connected due to herbicide exposure. The hypertension claim is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, neuropathy of the left hand, and neuropathy of the right hand have been denied. The VA has also remanded cases regarding a lower back disorder and neuralgia of the sciatic nerves in both legs.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for various types of peripheral neuropathy in all extremities, as these conditions were already granted effective August 1, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance prior to May 8, 2019 is denied as the evidence does not show he was in need of regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's COPD and emphysema, right radial neuropathy, right hallux valgus (based on service aggravation), and left hallux valgus (based on service aggravation) have been granted. The Veteran's right carpal tunnel syndrome has been denied as secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities because the evidence did not establish that his service-connected conditions alone rendered him helpless enough to need regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left upper extremity tremors associated with Parkinson's Disease were denied as there was no formal or informal claim prior to September 18, 2015.

The Board has granted service connection for left upper extremity, right upper extremity, left lower extremity, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inadequate opinions from previous VA examiners. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities is being reviewed again to determine if it is related to service, including exposure to herbicides or secondary to his service-connected gunshot wound.

The appeal pertaining to the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, peripheral neuropathy of the LLE, LUE, and RUE, and entitlement to a TDIU prior to September 23, 2009, is dismissed. The appeal pertaining to the issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the RLE is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities have been granted initial 20% disability ratings.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, foot disability (claimed as blisters or blood poison), respiratory disability (COPD), diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiac/heart disability, right lower extremity PVD, left lower extremity PVD, right lower extremity DVT, left lower extremity DVT, embolism, cellulitis, right ulnar peripheral neuropathy, and left ulnar peripheral neuropathy have been granted. The claims for service connection for right hip disability, left hip disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, back/spine disability, and left eye disability are still pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient rationale provided in previous VA opinions. The issues include peripheral neuropathy of various extremities, DM, hypertension, and foot disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development and adjudication due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is caused or aggravated by his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating of diabetes mellitus and service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity diabetic neuropathy have been granted. However, the issue of TDIU prior to July 19, 2011 remains pending.