Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2021

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, actinic keratosis, and basal cell carcinoma were denied.

The Veteran's diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities is associated with his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The Veteran's hypertension is reasonably shown to be proximately due to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's service-connected left lower extremity radiculopathy and neuropathy of the left peroneal nerve have been granted. A 20% disability rating is assigned for the latter condition, effective from August 16, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for hepatitis B, tinnitus, and shoulder disability were dismissed. The claim for jaw condition was denied due to lack of new and material evidence. Bilateral hearing loss was not found as the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a current disability under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to lack of substantial compliance with prior Board directives and need for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities has been granted increased ratings, with a maximum rating of 40 percent for each leg.

The Board denied service connection for right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, including ulnar nerve entrapment, finding that the evidence does not support a finding of a diagnosed disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right elbow condition due to lack of evidence linking his current neurological conditions to service or his service-connected boxer's fracture. The claims for other disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy and has determined that it is at least as likely as not that the condition began during or shortly after service, with continuity since separation. The appeal was based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for peripheral neuropathy as they are unclear if the Veteran's current diagnoses align with his service-connected conditions or if there is a connection between his service and these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for scars of the abdomen, flank, hip, and hand, as well as residuals of a gunshot wound to the right hand with peripheral neuropathy are being remanded due to insufficient development.

The Veteran's radiculopathy and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity are granted a 20% disability rating for the period prior to November 9, 2012.

The Board dismissed the appeals for neck, TBI, and upper extremity radiculopathy issues as they were withdrawn by the Veteran. Service connection was granted for arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, right shoulder disorder, and lower extremity radiculopathies secondary to service-connected arthritis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and ED as secondary to his service-connected type 2 diabetes mellitus.,These claims are being remanded due to insufficient evidence addressing whether these conditions are related to or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities is currently rated, but his claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to new evidence or clarification needed.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral foot condition was causally related to his documented in-service frost bite injury, and service connection for a bilateral foot condition is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base (RTAFB) is established on a fact-found basis. The Board also finds that there is current evidence of peripheral neuropathy, and thus remands for a VA examination to determine if it is at least as likely as not related to service, including exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's service-connected CAD is currently rated at 10 percent from December 17, 2012 to November 7, 2019 and at 30 percent thereafter. The claim for higher ratings for CAD is denied.,The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent. The claim for a higher rating is denied.,The Veteran's service-connected diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, left upper extremity, and lower extremities are all rated at 10 percent. The claims for higher ratings are denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and possible SSA records.

The Board has determined that the VA provided an inadequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral peripheral neuropathy is related to his active service, including his presumed in-service herbicide exposure. The case is being remanded for further development.