Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2022

The Veteran's DM2 with diabetic retinopathy is rated at 20 percent, and the ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities are all 40 percent.,The Veteran's diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right sciatic nerve and left sciatic nerve each warrant a 40 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for hearing loss, hammertoes, obstructive sleep apnea, psychiatric disorder (other than posttraumatic stress disorder), right knee disorder, right hip disorder, right ankle disorder, left shoulder disorder, neck disorder, and back disorder. The Veteran's fibromyalgia claim is denied.

The Veteran's overpayment was created due to his knowingly false statements regarding the severity of his service-connected bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, leading to improper benefits. As a result, waiver of recovery is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been withdrawn. The Board has granted a higher rating for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities after January 13, 2021.

The Veteran's service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and its associated peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities is granted due to exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was denied as the symptoms did not more nearly approximate severe incomplete paralysis, with marked muscular atrophy.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral lower peripheral neuropathy, and cataracts as these conditions are not shown to be related to service or due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease was granted, and he is now receiving a 60 percent disability rating. The decision also grants service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity.

The Board denied service connection for right ankle arthritis, skin disability (full body rash), and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure as there was no competent evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities has been rated at 40 percent since December 17, 2019. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus requires regulation of activities due to low blood sugars, but there is conflicting medical evidence regarding this requirement.

The Board has granted service connection for MGUS and associated upper and lower peripheral neuropathy, finding that the Veteran's condition is related to his active duty service, including exposure to herbicide agents such as Agent Orange.

The Board found that reducing the Veteran's VA compensation payments for his periods of incarceration was proper and denied his claim for retroactive benefits.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, as this issue was fully granted in an October 2021 rating decision. The remaining issues have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete evidence and inadequate examination. The right eye condition claim is remanded because of missing private treatment records, while the peripheral neuropathy claim is remanded due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected left wrist disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of 'severe' incomplete paralysis of the radial nerve, and thus, a rating in excess of 20 percent is denied.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU was also denied as he does not meet the criteria for total disability based on individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right upper extremity peripheral nerve condition, diagnosed as cervical radiculopathy and nerve neuropathy of the carpal tunnel, is secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disability. The decision grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient verification of service at the DMZ during the Veteran's periods of service in Korea. The RO is instructed to make all necessary efforts to verify any herbicide agent exposure, including multiple requests if a limited time period is required.

The appeal for service connection for low back disability and sciatica of the left lower extremity is dismissed. The appeals for hyperlipidemia, idiopathic peripheral neuropathy, muscle atrophy, CIDP, hypogonadism, erectile dysfunction, and diabetes mellitus are remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral photophobia and LLE neuropathy are granted as service-connected. The Veteran is also granted a 30 percent rating for his LLE neuropathy from February 21, 2013 onwards.

The Veteran's left knee disability, RLS, and bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are all granted as service-connected. The rating for the spine disability is also granted at a 20% level.