Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2022

The Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, left upper and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathies, as well as his left and right knee disabilities have been granted initial ratings. The TDIU has also been granted.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and compensation were dismissed due to the death of the claimant. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these appeals as the appellant is deceased.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, finding that the evidence did not support a causal relationship to the Veteran's military service, including his in-service exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has found the VA examinations inadequate for adjudicating this case and has ordered additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and determining if combat conditions apply. The Veteran's lay statements will be considered in assessing her claims.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations.,Before January 29, 2016, the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities did not meet the criteria for a higher than 10 percent rating. After this date, it did not meet the criteria for a higher than 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating prior to March 19, 2019 for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 20 percent beginning March 19, 2019 for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is denied.,The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for residuals, shrapnel wound, left shoulder region and upper arm area, right hip/thigh area, and right leg/ankle area are remanded.,The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right ulnar nerve peripheral neuropathy is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for right upper extremity chronic C6-C7 radiculopathy, left upper extremity chronic C6-C7 radulopathy, right arm carpal tunnel syndrome, left arm carpal tunnel syndrome, right arm ulnar neuropathy, and left arm ulnar neuropathy as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during service or were related to an in-service injury.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, finding that there is no current diagnosis or evidence of such condition during the pendency of his appeal.

The Board has added new evidence to the claims file and finds that it is relevant to the Veteran's service connection claims. The case is being remanded for readjudication based on this additional evidence.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, service connection for a cardiac disorder, skin disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The appeal is dismissed.

The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to an apparent error in the previous denial.,Service connection has been denied for peripheral neuropathy of both upper extremities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to April 13, 2009.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right lower extremity sensorimotor polyneuropathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disorder.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for Parkinson's disease (now characterized as essential tremor), diabetes mellitus, and other disabilities. The appeal is being returned to the RO for further review of new evidence.

The Board has dismissed all issues related to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the appeal is granted. The Board has also remanded several issues related to peripheral neuropathy of various extremities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus type II, left foot and right foot peripheral neuropathy, bilateral knee peripheral neuropathy, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to potential exposure to herbicide agents during service. The RO is instructed to obtain deck logs from ships involved in the Veteran's service and confirm his presence at sea off the coast of Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy in his arms and legs due to exposure to toxins in service, including Agent Orange and ammunition-related toxins in Vietnam. The Veteran needs to be examined to determine if his current nerve disorders are related to any of these exposures.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cataracts and dry eyes, and other conditions, are found to be of sufficient severity to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment for the period prior to September 17, 2018.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to outstanding VA treatment records and further medical opinions are needed.