Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction but denied service connection for right lower extremity neuropathy. The TDIU claim is remanded and will be reconsidered after the grant of service connection for erectile dysfunction.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, initial ratings for peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, and a TDIU prior to April 16, 2019. The remand is due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the obstructive sleep apnea claim.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to Agent Orange exposure, as there are insufficient opinions provided in the previous VA addendum. The Veteran's type of neuropathy is not presumed to be related to herbicide exposure, but a new opinion is needed to determine if it was otherwise linked to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to October 29, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected right upper and lower extremity disabilities result in functional loss of use, which meets the criteria for SMC based on loss of use of one hand and one foot.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability resulted in muscle spasm severe enough to cause abnormal gait, but flexion was greater than 30 degrees. The Board granted a 20 percent rating for mechanical back syndrome.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to address his claims of increased ratings and TDIU, as well as a claim under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for left shoulder surgery.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathies of the upper and lower extremities, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied service connection for bilateral upper-extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding no evidence of such condition during or immediately following active service and concluding that it is not related to the Veteran's service-connected low-back disorders. The claim was also denied on the basis that there is no presumption applicable due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's heart disability, prostate cancer, diabetes, bilateral upper and lower extremity neuropathy, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing they were incurred or aggravated by his military service.,Specifically, the Board found insufficient evidence to support a finding that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his time in Thailand. The Veteran's service records do not indicate he had any ongoing problems with these conditions while in service and there is no other competent medical evidence suggesting an association to service.

The Board has found that there was not substantial compliance with the June 2021 remand directives and has ordered a new VA medical opinion to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, including on the basis of presumed herbicide exposure during his service in Vietnam.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for removal of left testicle due to in-service injury. Service connection is granted for this condition. The claims of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy are remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the determination regarding the removal of left testicle.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI and facial burn scars have been denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy and diabetes, and for service connection for a headache condition and eye disability are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting evidence regarding a current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy and its relationship to service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange is acknowledged, but no early-onset peripheral neuropathy was found within one year after separation from service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities and hearing loss, as well as service connection for a left renal cyst. The appeals are being returned to the originating agency for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence.,Service connection is granted for DMII, but other issues remain pending as they are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, lumbar spine disability, BUE and BLE peripheral neuropathy due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's parotid gland cancer is not related to service, including exposure to herbicide agents.,The Veteran's right upper extremity disorder (claimed as peripheral neuropathy) has been diagnosed as carpal tunnel syndrome and is not related to service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (Type II diabetes mellitus, diabetic cataracts, right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy) did not render him unemployable prior to July 26, 2010. Therefore, the claim for TDIU prior to that date is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right upper extremities due to further development being necessary.