Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2021

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the ulnar nerve to the left little and ring fingers was manifested by no more than moderate incomplete paralysis, resulting in a denial of a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left and right lower extremity neuropathy are granted. The claim for a low back disability is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder, right-hand and left-hand peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and bilateral pes planus. The claims for right knee disability, left knee disability, diabetes mellitus, right lower extremity neuropathy, and left lower extremity neuropathy are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates due to missing records from November 1973 to January 1992. The claims are inextricably intertwined with the lumbar disability claim.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's bilateral peripheral neuropathy and erectile dysfunction are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's type 2 diabetes mellitus is granted as presumptively incurred due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.,PTSD remains remanded for further development and consideration.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension due to potential service connection based on exposure, but no rating or effective date is assigned as these issues are pending.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to active service or herbicide exposure.

The Board is remanding the case for further development to comply with prior remand instructions, including obtaining and associating the VA Inspector General (IG) investigation findings and evidence with the record.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for ED, PN of the left and right lower extremities, HTN, and heart disease as secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder (MDD). The decision is based on the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records from Psych Care Consultants.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the anterior crural nerves and diabetes mellitus have been denied as his conditions do not warrant a higher rating based on the current evidence.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy was denied as he did not have a diagnosed disability. The heart disease and diabetes mellitus claims were remanded due to insufficient evidence.

Service connection has been granted for diabetes mellitus, type II and bilateral lower and upper extremity peripheral neuropathy. Service connection is also granted for kidney disability and prostate disability due to herbicide agent exposure.,The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II is found to be the primary cause of his bilateral lower and upper extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the cases due to uncertainty regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents and whether he served within the territorial sea of Vietnam, which could affect his eligibility for presumptive service connection. The VA is instructed to verify these details and provide a medical opinion on the relationship between the Veteran's conditions and his service.

The Veteran's claims for right upper extremity, left lower extremity, and right lower extremity neuropathy as well as testicular hydroceles were denied due to the lack of current diagnoses.,There is no evidence in the record supporting a current diagnosis of right upper extremity or bilateral lower extremity nerve conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for type II diabetes mellitus and associated peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's left ulnar neuropathy and dermatitis are granted with specific ratings. Other issues, including hearing loss and knee disability, are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities was denied a higher rating than 20 percent for the period before July 18, 2018.

The Veteran's hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, and his peripheral neuropathy of the right foot is not service connected.,There is no evidence linking the Veteran’s current peripheral neuropathy to in-service herbicide exposure. The Board found insufficient medical opinion regarding a link between the Veteran's symptoms and his presumed exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to a lack of information about the qualifications of the VA examiner who provided an opinion in September 2020.