Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2022

The Board denied increased ratings for left ulnar neuropathy and left lower extremity neuropathy, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating than what was already assigned.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions. The claims are granted, but several issues remain unresolved and need further review.

The Board has dismissed the issue of service connection for bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The initial rating for diabetes mellitus, type II is granted at 40 percent. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding hypertension.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and a disability manifested by chronic pain. The evidence does not support an in-service incident or injury that could link these conditions to active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran had this condition and if it was caused by exposure to herbicide agents during his Vietnam-era service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral lower extremity sural neuropathies, rating in excess of 30 percent for left upper extremity radiculopathy, initial compensable rating for seborrheic dermatitis, a compensable rating for residuals of closed fracture of the left fibular shaft, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee inferior articular surface tear. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for lumbar spine arthritis and IVDS.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to her military service.,Service connection is also granted for both left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, with the condition being secondary to her service-connected back disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, finding no current diagnosis and insufficient evidence to establish a link between the condition and his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's right upper extremity neurological disorder is rated at 50 percent, and his left upper extremity neurological disorder (prior to August 29, 2014 and prospectively from July 1, 2015) is rated at 40 percent.,Entitlement to a total disability rating due to individual unemployability was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to January 1, 2020. From January 1, 2020 onwards, the evidence shows that his disabilities preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for neuropathy of his bilateral upper and lower extremities. The case will be remanded for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion and verifying any claimed exposure.

The Board dismissed the appeal of service connection for COPD as the Veteran withdrew his appeal. The Board granted service connection for bilateral optic neuropathy.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for special monthly compensation (SMC) prior to January 31, 2017 was denied because he did not meet the criteria for SMC based on a single service-connected disability rated as 100 percent disabling.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are granted as these conditions are presumed to be related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents.,Service connection is also granted for ischemic heart disease, but only if it can be attributed to active service or any incident of service. The Veteran's current heart condition does not meet this criterion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for neuropathy of the right upper extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity have been granted.

The Veteran's appeals for a higher rating and combined disability evaluation have been dismissed as he requested the appeal to be dismissed in his January 2022 letter.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he requested withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to service, including as due to lead exposure as a plumber in Vietnam. The Veteran's current diagnosis of CIDP is also considered.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities are being reopened, but further development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his active duty service or any other relevant factors.

The Veteran's RLE and LLE peripheral neuropathy have been granted increased evaluations, with the RLE receiving a 10% evaluation from September 12, 2011 to November 26, 2018, and a 40% evaluation thereafter. The LLE received a 40% evaluation from June 15, 2017 to November 26, 2018, and a 10% evaluation thereafter.