Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2021

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities is being remanded for further evaluation due to lack of recent VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding no medical evidence linking the condition to herbicide exposure or service.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes, left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to ambiguities in the record regarding whether the Veteran's diabetes requires regulation of activities. The case is also remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of bilateral peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings and compensation for lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are being remanded due to incomplete information provided by the Veteran regarding his treatment records from a private medical facility. The Board will need to inform him of what additional information is required.

The Board has dismissed the appeals due to the death of the appellant.

The Board found clear and unmistakable error in the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction and right eye retinopathy, as there was no evidence of herbicide exposure during service. The other issues were also denied due to lack of evidence supporting service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing service treatment records and outstanding Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The Veteran is also required to undergo a VA examination to determine if he has any disability of neuropathy impacting his lower extremities, including left foot and right foot, or any non-neuropathic foot disability, and whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claim for a higher rate of SMC is remanded due to previous delays and lack of clarity in earlier decisions. The Veteran should be afforded a VA examination to determine if he is entitled to a higher rate of SMC at any time during the course of this appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory condition, hypertension, and neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to potential exposure to Agent Orange during his military service. The cases are sent back for further examination and medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left elbow olecranon bursitis is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left cubital tunnel syndrome with ulnar neuropathy prior to September 10, 2020 is denied. The claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent thereafter is also denied.

The Board has remanded the cases due to unclear relationship between the Veteran's service-connected left ring finger fracture and his need for convalescence following surgery. The issues are inextricably intertwined as they both pertain to the same disability period.

The Board has denied service connection for RUE peripheral neuropathy but remanded the issue of LUE peripheral neuropathy due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to exposure to herbicide agents. The case is being returned for further development as the prior October 2018 remand directives had an incorrect standard when assessing whether the Veteran’s peripheral neuropathy was caused or aggravated by his diabetes mellitus.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for polyneuropathy of the lower extremities and finds that it is etiologically related to exposure to herbicides during active duty service. Service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for bladder condition and hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are being remanded due to a lack of recent medical examinations and updated VA records. The Board also finds that these conditions may be related to his in-service exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for coronary artery disease was denied, and his claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound was also denied because the need was not due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him so helpless as to need regular aid and attendance or be permanently housebound, thus SMC for aid and attendance is denied prior to June 1, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including obstructive sleep apnea and left hand neuropathy, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted TDIU based on the combined rating of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete service treatment records and conflicting medical opinions regarding the cause of his disabilities. The AOJ is instructed to obtain missing service treatment records, arrange new examinations, and request a new medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to worsening of his disabilities, specifically right fibula fracture residuals and right eye optic neuropathy. The cases are being remanded for additional examinations.