Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as new and material evidence was not provided to reopen the claims. The Board found no evidence of exposure to herbicides or other hazardous toxins, and there is insufficient medical evidence linking any current conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical DDD and RUE PN, but has remanded the issues of left shoulder disorder secondary to cervical DDD and hernia.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy, as well as left eye disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his claims, including those related to service connection and effective dates.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus on a presumptive basis. The appeals concerning the other conditions have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus with impotency, right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are all rated at 20 percent. The appeal is denied as the criteria for a higher rating have not been met.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a kidney disorder, peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral eye disability due to additional development being necessary.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to gather more information about his employment as a business owner and operator, including the type of work performed, hours worked per week, time lost due to service-connected disabilities, gross income, and net income earned by the business.

The Veteran's claim for SMC-AA was filed on September 11, 2006. The Board granted an effective date of September 11, 2006, but no earlier, for the award of SMC-AA.

The Veteran's current type II diabetes mellitus and tension headaches are found to be proximately due or the result of his service-connected MDD with an adjustment disorder, with obesity serving as an intermediate step between the two disabilities.,The Veteran's obesity is not a qualifying disability for secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bronchitis, asthma, COPD, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have been granted. The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the previously denied claims.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for right lower extremity idiopathic neuropathy is remanded due to the need for additional VA and private treatment records, as well as a new VA examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all service connection claims, including those related to shrapnel wounds, hearing loss, tinnitus, sinus conditions, sleep apnea, neurobehavioral effects, PTSD, and peripheral neuropathy. The cases are dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right ilioinguinal nerve entrapment induced neuropathy associated with an inguinal hernia since December 12, 2020 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is referred back for further development.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy disabilities, including those secondary to diabetes mellitus, are currently rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations. However, the Board finds that these conditions have worsened and require further examination.,VA is also requested to schedule a VA examination to determine if the Veteran requires SMC based on need for aid and attendance of another person.

The Veteran's prostate disability and neuropathy are not service-connected due to in-service herbicide exposure.,The cause of the Veteran's death is related to his service-connected ischemic heart disease, but not directly attributable to his presumed in-service herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's right ulnar neuropathy is rated at 40 percent, but no higher, as it equates to severe incomplete paralysis of the major extremity.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that the evidence did not show a chronic condition in service or manifest to a compensable degree within one year of separation from service. The Veteran's claim was based on exposure to herbicide agents during service, but the Board found insufficient evidence to support an early onset of the condition.

The Veteran is currently employed in a suitable, management-level stable government position and has overcome any impairment of employment to which his service-connected disabilities have substantially contributed. Therefore, he does not meet the criteria for additional VR&E benefits or re-entry into the program.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both upper extremities due to additional development being necessary.