Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right ankle and right upper extremity conditions due to insufficient examination reports, lack of service treatment records, and need for updated VA medical records. The Veteran is also asked to provide any non-VA medical records.

The Board has dismissed all claims for service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for peripheral vascular disease and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, as well as an increased disability rating for ischemic heart disease. The issues are being remanded due to incomplete VA medical opinions and missing records.

The Board has ordered the VA to obtain additional medical records related to the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy in both hands, and erectile dysfunction. The case will be returned for further action.

The Veteran is eligible for specially adapted housing due to his service-connected disabilities, which include bilateral hip osteoarthritis and joint replacement, below the knee amputation on the right, neuropathy of the right radial nerve, left knee disability, and PTSD. The Board found that he meets the criteria for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing as his service-connected disabilities result in a need for constant use of a wheelchair and canes.

The Board has dismissed all active appeals due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his claims.

The Board has remanded the cases of entitlement to service connection for a left shoulder condition and for left arm peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide agent exposure or as secondary to a left shoulder condition. The issues are inextricably intertwined, so both must be addressed on remand.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic right wrist condition, to include as secondary to her service-connected right shoulder and neck conditions, should be remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, to include as secondary to exposure to herbicide agents, was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show a relationship between the Veteran’s claimed condition and his active duty service or any event, injury, or disease during service. Service connection for TDIU prior to July 31, 2018, was also denied as the Veteran's combined disability rating did not meet the threshold percentage requirements.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for infectious hepatitis and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, as well as the claim for an extraschedular TDIU prior to December 5, 2012. The AOJ is instructed to obtain addendum opinions addressing all contentions regarding exposure to hepatitis C.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hand disabilities, including arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as their secondary relationship to cervicalgia, is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's skin conditions, other than skin cancer, are at least as likely as not related to his active duty service.,The Veteran's lower left extremity peripheral neuropathy is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service, including as due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted effective November 16, 2005, when he was granted service connection for bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy. The earlier effective date is based on the date of receipt of his claim for a TDIU.

The Board denied a disability rating greater than 10 percent for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities prior to November 5, 2014.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy as secondary to a liver disability, finding that the Veteran's cirrhosis caused his peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various upper extremity and shoulder/wrist disorders need further development due to incomplete medical records and the need for additional examinations.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral foot disability, other than peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran was granted service connection for sleep apnea and denied service connection for neuropathy of the right upper extremity and left upper extremity.,Service connection was not established for any of the conditions mentioned in this decision.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for PTSD and a TDIU prior to December 2, 2014 has been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal.

The Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to service-connected disabilities was established since May 25, 2016. The Board granted special monthly compensation based on this need.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and to obtain updated medical records. The claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, peripheral neuropathy, diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy, coronary artery disease, erectile dysfunction, left zygomatico-maxillary complex fracture, TDIU, and DEA are also being remanded.