Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2022

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy, concluding that the Veteran's condition was not related to his active duty service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for type II diabetes mellitus, left and right lower extremity neuropathy, and a vision condition to obtain additional medical opinions. The issues of service connection for PTSD, hypertension, headaches, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and TDIU are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for left shoulder impingement syndrome and recurrent dislocation of the scapulohumeral joint, as well as a rating higher than 20 percent for left ulnar neuropathy from February 19, 2020, were denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for DMII, ischemic heart disease, cataracts, and bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide agent exposure. The evidence did not establish herbicide exposure during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II; kidney disorder; left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy; and cataracts are remanded due to the absence of a current disability diagnosis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development of her VA treatment records, as well as requests for private medical records. The initial rating for LUE nerve disability remains denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed bilateral upper and lower peripheral neuropathy, including CIDP and carpal tunnel syndrome, did not start during or immediately after his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, a heart disability, and prolapsed colon as secondary to prostate cancer due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to March 8, 2022.

The Veteran's claim for increased PTSD rating is granted, and service connection for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and PTSD are all granted. The Veteran's sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD, ataxia, peripheral neuropathy, and restless leg syndrome are also granted. Service connection for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is granted.

The Veteran's LLE and RLE femoral neuropathy are granted with a 30% evaluation as of October 31, 2018. The Veteran's LLE and RLE sciatic neuropathy are also granted with a 30% evaluation as of October 31, 2018.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities (sciatic nerve) prior to October 8, 2019, has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU based on service-connected disabilities prior to November 16, 2020, was also denied.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities as there was no diagnosed condition during or proximate to the claims period.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, chronic idiopathic demyelinating neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, and major depressive disorder, all related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The evidence does not support direct or presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, resulting in denial of an increased rating.,The Veteran's left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy was rated at 10 percent prior to March 1, 2022, and at 20 percent thereafter. The right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy was also rated at 20 percent throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, leaving no issues for further consideration.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity diabetic neuropathy was granted effective as of October 13, 2010.

The Veteran's eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) based on permanent and total disability status under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 is granted as of May 8, 2018.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection for left and right upper extremity neuropathy as they were previously denied in July 2022, and there is no pending appeal or reconsideration.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as presumptively related to herbicide exposure. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy in the upper and lower extremities is denied.