Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2021

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities as there was no evidence linking these conditions to active duty, despite the Veteran's belief. The VA examiner found that the condition did not have its clinical onset in service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and related eye disabilities, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to herbicide exposure. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional evidence from the Veteran and conduct further medical examinations.

The Veteran's case is being remanded for a vocational rehabilitation evaluation to assess her current limitations and suitability for employment due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy in both feet, finding no evidence of early onset or chronic disease related to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's current condition is attributed to diabetes and other non-service-related factors.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his exposure to herbicide agents during service in Vietnam. The Veteran must provide evidence that he served within 12 nautical miles of the Vietnam coast while on board the USS Turner Joy.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, including as due to exposure to herbicide agents. The decision also remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy is granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted as caused by his service-connected prostate cancer.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during active duty at U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Base. Service connection was denied for left lower extremity neuropathy, left upper extremity neuropathy, right lower extremity neuropathy, and right upper extremity neuropathy as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service. Sleep apnea and pressure in eyes were also not found to be related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in loss of use of both lower extremities, qualifying him for specially adapted housing and SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.,However, his appeal regarding financial assistance for automobile and adaptive equipment or for adaptive equipment only is remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities due to in-service herbicide exposure, as well as TDIU. The RO must issue a Formal Finding discussing steps taken to verify the Veteran's in-service exposure to herbicide agents and notify him of VA’s inability to verify such exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran suffered from peripheral vascular disease caused by his service-connected diabetic neuropathy, and thus granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance/housebound, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran required regular aid and assistance due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a seizure disorder has been reopened, and the issue is granted.,Service connection for hypertension was denied as there is no evidence of chronic disease during service or within the applicable presumptive period.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus type II and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, as well as his TDIU claim prior to October 31, 2016, are being remanded due to incomplete development. Additional records from SSA and VA must be obtained, and an addendum opinion is needed regarding the Veteran's need for activity regulation.

The Veteran's claim for an initial 30 percent rating for left foot superficial peroneal nerve numbness (left foot peripheral neuropathy) was granted. The Board also found that the criteria for extraschedular consideration were not met.

The Board denied service connection for right lower and left lower peripheral neuropathy as the evidence did not support a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service or his service-connected lumbar strain.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the claimed conditions and service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, but denied service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU is also granted.

The Board has found that additional remand is required due to the lack of an adequate opinion regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disability and the need for VA treatment records and SSA records.

The Veteran's hemorrhoids have been rated at 20 percent since March 19, 2018. The Board found that the Veteran’s persistent bleeding from his hemorrhoids warranted a higher rating prior to this date.,For the left scaphoid fracture with osteoarthritis and residual superficial radial neuropathy, the Board denied any increase in ratings as there was no evidence of ankylosis or severe incomplete paralysis of the radial nerve.