Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes-related conditions, render him unable to continue working in any substantially gainful capacity. The Board has determined that he is entitled to a TDIU based on the combined rating of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has denied service connection for kidney disease, peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, and a sleep disorder. The Veteran's claims are based on assertions that these conditions are related to his in-service medical history or his service-connected lumbar spine disability.,There is no direct evidence linking any of these conditions to service.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity and left upper extremity, finding that there was no current diagnosis of these conditions.,The Board also denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for PTSD, concluding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions, including whether they are related to in-service exposure or other environmental factors.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and a diabetic ulcer of the toe. The Veteran's diabetes was not shown to have had its onset during active duty or be otherwise related to military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the hearing loss and tinnitus claims, granted a 20% rating for peripheral neuropathy in both lower extremities (sciatic nerve), but discontinued separate ratings for femoral nerves due to pyramiding. Service connection was not established for upper extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and increased ratings for various diabetic peripheral neuropathy conditions has been dismissed due to the appellant withdrawing all issues on appeal.

The Board denied service connection for right upper extremity neuropathy and left upper extremity neuropathy, finding that the Veteran's conditions did not have their onset during service or are otherwise related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's disabilities and his exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection due to potential aggravation of his conditions by his service-connected disabilities and exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, including degenerative changes and tibial neuropathy, has resulted in no more than moderate limitation of motion. The Board denied a higher rating for the residuals of the right ankle fracture.

The Veteran's request for a higher evaluation for his service-connected right index finger disability is denied.,For the period from December 13, 2011 to March 6, 2019, the Veteran does not meet the criteria for an initial compensable evaluation for peripheral neuropathy of the right index finger associated with residuals of a right index finger injury.,The Board finds that the Veteran's entitlement to an evaluation of 20 percent, but no higher, for peripheral neuropathy of the right index finger associated with residuals of a right index finger injury beginning March 7, 2019 is warranted.

The Board denied service connection for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and radiculopathy, finding that the Veteran does not currently have these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, artery disease of the bilateral legs, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy due to service-connected HIV and/or medications used to treat HIV.,The Veteran's conditions are not found to be directly related to his military service or secondary to his service-connected HIV.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is granted a 100% rating effective January 30, 2017. The diabetes and bilateral eye disability are denied increased ratings. Service connection for depression, melanoma, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction is granted.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral retinopathy, diabetic nephropathy, and other related conditions are granted as secondary to service-connected diabetes.,Service connection is established for the Veteran’s diabetes-related disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's reported lower extremity and digestive system symptoms, as well as the need for additional medical guidance regarding radiculopathy and its relation to neuropathy.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is not service connected as it was not shown to be incurred or aggravated by his military service.,Service connection for neuropathy of the upper extremities (to include brachial plexus syndrome of the right upper extremity) and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are granted as they are found to be secondary to his service-connected diabetes.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right lower extremity neuropathy due to Agent Orange exposure during active duty.,Service connection was also denied for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as there is no evidence of these conditions within a year after separation from service.