Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2022

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding service connection for back disability, diabetes mellitus type II, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's request for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities was granted, with a disability evaluation of 20 percent assigned for each.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and diabetic neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, finding that there is not an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, as well as right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, were denied. The Veteran also had his claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for post CABG IHD from April 20, 2019 to August 12, 2019 denied.,The evidence did not show more than mild incomplete paralysis of the radial and popliteal nerves at any time during the period on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity associated with diabetes is denied as there is no evidence of exposure to Agent Orange or other presumed herbicide agents during his service. The Board finds that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam, nor was he exposed to such agents.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy in both lower extremities due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's diabetes and diabetic neuropathy are granted as service-connected due to exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy are rated at various levels, and the Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the current severity of his disabilities.

The Veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy is rated as mild incomplete paralysis of the upper radicular group, manifested by pain and sensory loss. The Board finds that a disability rating in excess of 20 percent is not warranted for the Veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy at any point during the period on appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, as well as the right and left upper extremities. The claims were reopened due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial in March 2015.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right arm disability, finding that he does not have a current diagnosis of any right arm disability separate from his already service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate previous medical opinions and new evidence is needed.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on several service-connected conditions have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the claims.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including bilateral knee, hip, and foot disorders, obstructive sleep apnea, asthma, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, finding that it is not related to his military service and does not meet the criteria for early-onset peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, right upper extremity neuropathy, and left upper extremity neuropathy due to the appellant's failure to report for scheduled examinations without good cause.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for unspecified blood disorder and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, which were dismissed as a result.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his respiratory disease is denied, and the case for service connection of bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is remanded due to lack of an opinion on its etiology.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings and earlier effective dates for service-connected right and left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy are being remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange. The case must be returned to VA for a medical examination to determine if these conditions are related to service.