Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2021

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for his acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, and peripheral neuropathy was denied. The initial rating of 70 percent for the depressive disorder is maintained.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy (femoral) is rated at 20 percent since August 18, 2011. The appeal has been denied as the symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy due to potential herbicide exposure during service. A VA examination is required to determine if these conditions are related to his active duty.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between the condition and the Veteran's military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to June 10, 2019 due to service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not show that his service-connected conditions alone rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

Service connection is granted for rheumatoid arthritis of the joints.,Service connection is granted for early onset peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities due to in-service herbicide exposure.,Service connection is granted for DDD of the cervical spine.,The claim for a higher rating for DDD of the lumbar spine is remanded.,The claims for service connection for neurological disorders of the right and left upper extremities are remanded.,The claims for service connection for difficulty breathing and extreme tiredness are remanded.,,

The Veteran withdrew his appeal in a written correspondence, thus the case is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including peripheral neuropathy and hypertension, all related to herbicide exposure during service. The issues are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II (DMII), peripheral neuropathy, and residuals of cerebrovascular accident (CVA) as secondary to DMII due to exposure to herbicide agents in Guam.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for prostate cancer, renal disability, erectile dysfunction, bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, as well as his request for an increased rating for TIA. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his service or secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the claims for chronic lymphocytic leukemia, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, and a chronic condition manifested by memory loss and syncope due to inadequate reasons or bases in the November 2019 decision. The Court held that the Board did not explain why contact with an area identified as an herbicide testing location could expose the Veteran to herbicides.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type I and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity to include as secondary to DMI due to the need for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right feet, finding that these conditions first occurred during active duty.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to Agent Orange exposure, including for diabetes mellitus type II (diabetes), enlarged prostate, Parkinson's Disease, ischemic heart disease, colon disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, sleep apnea, and erectile dysfunction. The AOJ is instructed to verify whether the Veteran served in an area near the Korean DMZ where herbicides were applied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of bilateral upper extremities, COPD, hypertension, and venous insufficiency.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity neuropathy did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and is less likely due to his active service, including conceded herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current truncal neuropathy is proximately due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for thoracic outlet syndrome, left upper, status post-cervical rib resection and neuropathy is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development of his military records and exposure history. The claims will be further developed to determine if he served in Vietnam or Laos, participated in covert operations, and was exposed to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's service-connected left genitofemoral nerve disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has granted a remand for further development to determine if an extraschedular rating or TDIU should be assigned.