Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2021

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy, finding that the evidence did not establish a link between the condition and service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for bilateral lower extremity neuropathy and residuals of a tracheotomy, both related to in-service herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right foot, including whether it is related to service or alcohol use disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral hip disabilities (residuals of right and left hip joint replacement) as secondary to his service-connected knee disability. The claim for a separate rating for his service-connected left ulnar nerve neuropathy was denied, and the TDIU determination was granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding new and material evidence that supports these claims.,Service connection is granted for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has granted the reopening of previously denied claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, including as due to herbicide exposure or contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for right upper extremity chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (previously carpal tunnel syndrome) is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and updated treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hearing loss and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran is presumed exposed to herbicides during his service in Vietnam, which may support a grant of service connection.

The Board has denied service connection for right knee disability, heart disability, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy. Service connection for PTSD is remanded due to the need for a retrospective opinion on its onset and etiology.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is rated at 20 percent, effective March 19, 2021.,An earlier effective date for service connection of the left ankle disability cannot be granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral polyneuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and a loss of balance condition due to inadequate medical opinions addressing causation and aggravation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board is remanding them due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to lack of recent VA treatment records and a need for a thorough medical examination. The Veteran's claim will be reviewed again after these are obtained.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction was granted. The claims for increased ratings for PTSD and diabetic neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, as well as TDIU, are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated his sleep apnea. The examiner is requested to provide an addendum opinion addressing these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II. The appeal regarding secondary service connection for various conditions is remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted starting from December 4, 2019, due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of left and right upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy before the Board could make a final decision.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his right foot disability and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and employment information.