Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2021

The Veteran is granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis effective August 17, 2009 due to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The decision also acknowledges the impact of other conditions and non-service connected disabilities on employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes and diabetic peripheral neuropathy were granted with effective dates of September 11, 2006.,An earlier effective date is not warranted as the grant was based on new evidence received after the original claim.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the upper left and right extremities, as well as lower extremities (left and right), has been granted with increased ratings. The obturator nerves on both sides have not yet met criteria for a compensable rating.,Peripheral neuropathy of the external cutaneous nerve of the thigh and illio-inguinal nerve on both sides remain at noncompensable levels.

The Board has dismissed all claims for service connection and increased ratings due to the appellant's death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of his upper and lower extremities due to outstanding VA treatment records that may support a continuity of symptoms since military service.

The Veteran's left and right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy are rated at a 20 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has found that a VA examination is necessary to determine the etiology of the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy, which may be related to his service in Vietnam and exposure to herbicide agents. The case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied as the evidence does not show that his tinnitus began in service or is due to service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity and left upper extremity is remanded as further testing is needed to determine if it is related to diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and mild cognitive impairment) is granted as new evidence has been added, but a VA addendum opinion is needed to determine if the condition is aggravated by diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates and initial ratings have been withdrawn.,Service connection was granted for diabetes mellitus type II, diabetic nephropathy with hypertension, left and right sciatic nerve peripheral neuropathy, left and right femoral nerve peripheral neuropathy, and left and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus type II. The effective dates of these awards are January 16, 2014.

The Board denied service connection for left and right lower peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure, including as secondary to a service-connected right ankle condition. The VA examiners determined that the Veteran's bilateral lower peripheral neuropathy is not related to his in-service exposure or his service-connected right ankle condition.

The Board has ordered another remand due to the need for a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy in his lower extremities is related to herbicide exposure or service-connected lung disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inadequate medical opinions and non-compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the failure to obtain all relevant VA and private treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for allergic rhinitis and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, finding that these conditions are not related to Agent Orange exposure or service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% and his bilateral hearing loss issue remains remanded. The Board has also determined that the left upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, secondary to diabetes mellitus type II, should be remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to inextricably intertwined issues, specifically the spine disability claim. The neuropathy claim will be reconsidered after final disposition of the spine claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disorders, as well as bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, are denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of negligence in the January 2011 left knee surgery or that any additional disability was caused by such surgery.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Type II diabetes mellitus and associated peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities has been denied as there is no evidence that it was caused by herbicide exposure or service-connected diabetes.