Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service connection claims for right knee arthritis, back condition, and bilateral foot neuropathy as secondary to mild osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine have been denied. The Board found that there is no direct link between the current conditions and active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, sleep apnea, hypertension, drug/chemical abuse dependency, and a mental health issue. The claim for service connection of the lower back condition is being remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection of a back disability. The claims for LLE and RLE peripheral neuropathy are remanded due to the need for medical opinions regarding causation.

The Board denied service connection for headaches, a psychiatric disorder, hypertension as secondary to a service-connected disability, and peripheral neuropathy of the hands and feet. The Veteran's claims were based on presumed exposure due to his military service in Korea.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, finding that it is related to the Veteran's Vietnam service and presumptive exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his adjustment disorder and physical conditions like sleep apnea, headaches, joint pain, and neuropathy, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from January 28, 2014 to June 6, 2016.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to herbicide exposure and/or contaminated water at Camp LeJeune, including for coronary artery disease (CAD), left lower extremity neuropathy, and diabetes mellitus. The claims will be reviewed under presumptive provisions.

The Veteran's burn scars of the hands are rated as peripheral neuropathy, which encompasses nerve damage symptoms such as pain and numbness. No other residual symptoms from scarring have been considered.,The Veteran's right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is currently rated at 30 percent, but no higher rating is warranted given the current evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasoning in the previous opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right elbow disability. The claim will be reviewed again with a new addendum opinion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed. New evidence has reopened the claim of service connection for coronary artery disease, but it remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, left shoulder, left deltoid bursitis, left ulnar neuropathy, right hip, and left hip disabilities are granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma is remanded, as is his claim for service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20% and his impairment of the sciatic nerve due to radiculopathy/peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity was initially rated at 20%, but later increased to 40%. The Board denied higher ratings for both conditions.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 20%.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities, and bilateral foot disorder due to lack of substantial compliance with previous directives.

The Board denied increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, and Parkinson's disease affecting the right upper extremity. The TDIU claim was also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, erectile dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathies of the lower and upper extremities as they are not found to be secondary to his diabetes mellitus type II. The Board also denied service connection for DM type II due to lack of aggravation during service.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to military service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a medical opinion regarding the nature of the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity neuropathy.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions require the regular aid and attendance of another person, leading to a grant of special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities is being remanded for further evaluation due to uncertainty regarding whether symptoms are caused by nonservice-connected conditions.