Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left upper extremity disorder. The examiner is required to provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that the condition was caused by an in-service injury or disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for testicular cancer, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to his military service or any exposure therein.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine, lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left foot disorders. The VA is requested to obtain expert opinions on these issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient consideration of all pertinent evidence, including service records showing symptoms related to back and knee injuries.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, left upper and lower extremity neuropathy due to lack of credible evidence of in-service exposure or a nexus.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for PRV, psoriatic arthritis, a parathyroid tumor, gum disease, gout, peripheral neuropathies of the upper and lower extremities due to insufficient evidence in the August 2017 VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for left lower extremity neuropathy and neuralgia is granted, with a uniform 10 percent rating effective from March 14, 2016. The service connection claim for right testicle loss under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 remains pending.

The Veteran's melanomas and peripheral neuropathy are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records. The below-the-knee amputation of the right leg is also being remanded.,The Veteran's service connection claims for melanomas, peripheral neuropathy, and below-the-knee amputation of the right leg will be reconsidered after further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation since May 12, 2014. The Board has granted the TDIU claim with this effective date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lung disability and bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to service exposure, including herbicide agents. Additional development is needed to clarify the nature of his exposures in service and obtain relevant VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and additional development is required.

The Veteran's service connection for diabetic retinopathy of the right eye is granted. The TDIU rating due to diabetes and associated manifestations, particularly neuropathies, is also granted. However, SMC at the housebound rate is denied.

The Board has dismissed all the claims for service connection as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is rated at 20 percent. Effective September 24, 2020, separate ratings of 10 percent are granted for diabetic peripheral neuropathy affecting the right and left lower extremities.

The Veteran was granted an initial disability rating of 40 percent for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (sciatic nerve) effective September 2, 2002.,From May 1, 2004 to May 27, 2004, the Veteran was granted a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for progressive axonal peripheral neuropathy as new and material evidence was not received.

The Board has granted service connection for hypothyroidism on a presumptive basis due to herbicide agent exposure. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, secondary to hypothyroidism, is also granted. The claim for service connection for anemia remains pending as it is not listed among the diseases presumed related to herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in a previous VA opinion regarding the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy and its relation to service, specifically herbicide exposure. The case is now pending for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral lower extremity motor and sensory polyneuropathy, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current disabilities and active duty service.

The Veteran was granted compensation for left lower extremity sciatic neuropathy and bowel incontinence as a result of VA surgeries performed in March 2009. The conditions are considered to be the direct result of these procedures.,Both conditions were found to have been caused by an event that could not reasonably have been foreseen, leading to the granting of compensation under Section 1151.