Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2021

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding entitlement to a TDIU due to its grant. The increased rating claims for left and right lower extremity neuropathy have been denied as the evidence does not support higher ratings.

The Veteran's entitlement to a higher rating for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of each lower extremity since September 6, 2016 was granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, right lower extremity, left upper extremity, and right upper extremity. The decision is based on direct service connection due to exposure to toxic chemicals, including mustard gas, during military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hand condition, including Raynaud's disease and neuropathy. The evidence does not support a direct relationship to service or any presumptive exposure.

The Veteran's mild neurocognitive disorder, claimed as vascular dementia, is granted service connection. Service connection for bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to September 30, 2014 rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for neuropathy of cranial nerve, claimed as peripheral neuropathy of the face, is denied. The Veteran's PTSD with TBI prior to November 20, 2019, and from that date onwards, are both denied in terms of initial ratings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to service-connected peripheral neuropathy, as well as a request for VA treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand three issues related to service connection for pulmonary fibrosis, left lower extremity neuropathy, and right lower extremity neuropathy due to herbicide agent exposure. The remand requires obtaining additional private medical records from Wake Forest Baptist Health.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 10 percent disability rating for ulnar nerve neuropathy of the right wrist, finding that the reduction was not proper due to continued symptoms and limitations.

The Board has determined that the current VA examinations are inadequate and requires further examination to determine if the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity disabilities, specifically peripheral neuropathy and RSD, were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for migraine headaches, psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), obstructive sleep apnea, and peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is requested to undergo further medical examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD, a heart condition, foot conditions (pes planus, plantar fasciitis, neuropathy), and peripheral neuropathy. The Board also found that the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his active duty service, including due to tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment, and therefore a TDIU is denied.

The Board has granted restoration of service connection for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Right and Left Lower Extremity Peripheral Neuropathy, and Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) due to herbicide agent exposure at Udorn RTAFB.

The Veteran's optic neuropathy with bilateral central scotomas is granted a 20 percent rating. The Veteran is also granted Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has identified several issues for remand, including the need to review new VA outpatient treatment records and private medical records, obtain missing audiometric results and civilian employment records, conduct new examinations regarding bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension, and schedule a TDIU examination. The claims are being returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,Issues related to bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus type II, and peripheral neuropathy in the upper and lower extremities are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to missing STRs and outstanding VA medical records. The Veteran's conditions include left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, a lumbar spine disability, and dermatitis.