Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2022

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death during the appeal process.

The Board dismissed all appeals for service connection and disability ratings related to the veteran's conditions, including heart disabilities, psychiatric disorders, diabetic nephropathy, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathies, and retinopathy. The appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's previously denied claim for service connection for hypertension is now reopened. The issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2; left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy; right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy; PTSD; and TDIU are all remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, requires only a restricted diet and oral hypoglycemic agents. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of regulation of activities due to his diabetes. Therefore, he is not entitled to a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's need for aid and attendance is not due to a service-connected condition other than his cerebral vascular accident with right hemiparesis. The Board finds that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded several issues on appeal, including the denial of service connection for right ear hearing loss and the need to determine if a compensable rating is warranted for left ear hearing loss. The Veteran's current audiometric findings do not meet VA criteria for a disability due to impaired hearing in either ear.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the AOJ failing to address specific VA examination reports in their September 2021 Statement of the Case.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an updated VA examination to determine if the Veteran's bilateral upper extremity condition is related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's hand disabilities are related to service or secondary to any service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity or left upper extremity, and therefore service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed.,Effective June 17, 2022, the Veteran is granted a 40% rating for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy since June 16, 2011.

The Veteran's CIDP was not caused by or related to his military service, and the Board found no evidence linking it to vaccinations received during active duty.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both feet and a disability of both feet other than neuropathy, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals as the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities as these conditions are not shown to be related to active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right lower extremity sensorimotor neuropathy (claimed as peripheral neuropathy) are being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a medical opinion.

The Veteran's right upper extremity neuropathy is now rated at 40 percent beginning April 19, 2021.,The Veteran's left upper extremity neuropathy is now rated at 30 percent beginning April 19, 2021.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes, coronary artery disease, renal disability, lower extremity peripheral vascular disease, lower extremity peripheral arterial disease, and upper extremity diabetic neuropathy as the evidence does not support a finding of actual exposure to herbicide agents during service or that these conditions began during service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and diabetic peripheral polyneuropathy are found to have had their onset during active military service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for tendonitis in multiple upper and lower extremities have been dismissed.,Service connection has been granted for diabetes mellitus type II, with a presumption based on herbicide exposure.