Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the cases of upper extremity peripheral neuropathy and eye disability, to include dry eyes, for further development due to inadequate opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is not etiologically related to service, including as due to exposure to herbicide agents. The Board denied service connection for this condition.

Service connection for RA and DM is granted on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure. Service connection for PN related to DM is also granted. PTSD is rated at the current level of disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes and peripheral neuropathy of both the left upper and lower extremities due to ambiguity in the evidence regarding the Veteran's diagnosis and treatment history. The AOJ is instructed to consider these issues on the merits.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including depression and PTSD, left ulnar neuropathy, sleep apnea, gastrointestinal disorder, headaches, and hypertension. The claims are being remanded to further evaluate these issues.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, but has remanded them due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, with erectile dysfunction, and diabetic neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities (sciatic and femoral nerves) was denied as his formal application was not received within one year following his intent to file a claim. The effective date remains June 29, 2016.

The Board denied increased ratings for residuals of Morton's neuroma, left foot scar; residuals of Morton's neuroma, left foot; and peripheral neuropathy of the foot, residual from left foot neuroma excision.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of entitlement to total disability due to individual unemployability (TDIU) for further development and readjudication.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities are remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding the presence and etiology of such conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for cervical spine disability and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has granted service connection for right lower and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that the conditions are related to presumed herbicide agent exposure during active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work history.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, finding that the Veteran's employment history and disability ratings did not warrant a TDIU prior to March 22, 2010.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to potential service connection and dependency issues. The cause of death is under review, as well as dependency benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for osteopenia, but the remaining issues on appeal are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions and missing records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right upper extremities due to radiation exposure during service. The case will be further developed by obtaining a dose estimate based on all available records, including those from nuclear submarines, and then scheduling an examination to determine if the conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate analysis and reliance on a September 2014 VA examination. The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and/or herbicide exposure may be related to his diagnosed neurological disorder of the right lower extremity.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, left upper extremity, left lower extremity, and right lower extremity due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient documentation of VA treatment records from prior to August 2007, which are referenced by examiners. The AOJ needs to ensure these records are associated with the claims file.