Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded two issues: service connection for a cervical spine disorder and secondary service connection for neuropathy of the right arm and hand. The case must be returned due to inadequate examination.

The Board has determined that the remand is necessary to obtain an adequate opinion addressing the etiology of the Veteran’s right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The matter will be readjudicated following receipt of the requested opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's seizure disorder and its residuals, including left upper extremity neuropathy, headaches, and mental health issues, may be related to a cervical epidural steroid injection (ESI) performed at St. Mary’s Hospital in February 2014. However, due to lack of records showing referral by VA or specific VA facility involvement, the case is remanded for further investigation.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU since July 7, 2014 due to his service-connected disabilities. Prior to this date, he was not found unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has restored the Veteran's disability rating for his left lower extremity radiculopathy and neuropathy from 40% to 20%, effective January 1, 2019. The reduction was improper as there was no material improvement in the disability.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated during active duty and is not otherwise related to military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including CAD, DM, PN of the lower extremities, and ED, do not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a). The appeal is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for service connection of neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities due to inadequate VA opinion regarding secondary service connection.

The Board has decided some issues in favor of the Veteran, while others have been remanded for further action. The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are mixed.

The Board has denied service connection for Hepatitis C and remanded the issue of peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, to include as due to exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including sarcoidosis, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their relationship to his in-service herbicide exposure.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, diabetes, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, coronary artery disease, and residuals of a cerebrovascular accident due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or any presumptive exposure.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and associated peripheral neuropathy have been rated as 20 percent disabling since September 28, 2016. Separate ratings of 10 percent each for the left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were granted from May 11, 2016 to September 27, 2016.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the severity and frequency of the Veteran's episodes of diarrhea. The Veteran should be provided an opportunity for a VA examination to assess his gastrointestinal issues, as well as reexaminations for his service-connected diabetes, diabetic nephropathy, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and hypertension.

The Veteran's inguinal hernia was granted service connection, while his claims for myeloma and other conditions were denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for the aggravation of hypertension by diabetes mellitus, cerebrovascular accident residuals due to diabetes mellitus and hypertension, left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, PTSD, and erectile dysfunction is granted. The claims for service connection for onychomycosis are remanded. The rating for diabetes mellitus is also remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower bilateral extremities, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for GVHD as secondary to his service-connected NHL, but granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to August 17, 2018 for the grant of service connection for left and right lower extremity external cutaneous nerve peripheral neuropathy were denied.,The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to August 17, 2018 for the grant of service connection for left and right lower extremity ilio-inguinal nerve peripheral neuropathy were denied.,The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to August 17, 2018 for the grant of service connection for left and right lower extremity obturator nerve peripheral neuropathy were denied.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus type II, sleep disorder (insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea), and cardiovascular disorder were denied. The claims for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities have been granted.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for papillary thyroid carcinoma, status post thyroidectomy was denied prior to March 24, 2017. As of March 24, 2017, a rating of 60 percent has been granted.