Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2022

The claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been granted by the agency of original jurisdiction. The claims for other conditions have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete medical opinions and outstanding records.,The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the respiratory condition, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities.,The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) and secondary service connection claims.,The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical opinions regarding the right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.,The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) and secondary service connection claims.,The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical opinions regarding the right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.,The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) and secondary service connection claims.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for coronary artery disease and service connection for peripheral neuropathy, upper extremities was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to February 3, 2011, but remanded the case due to insufficient medical examination records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes and diabetic peripheral neuropathy in the lower extremities are granted due to exposure to herbicides during service, as recognized by the PACT Act of 2022. Service connection is also granted on a secondary basis for the right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, resulting in the grant of TDIU. The criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension have not been met.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a left knee injury and CIDP were remanded due to the need for further development. The effective date for the award of service connection for residuals of a left knee injury is set at December 8, 2017.

The Veteran's bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities was not shown in service or for many years thereafter, and is not otherwise etiologically related to active-duty service. Therefore, his claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that his TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient evidence and a need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's attorney withdrew all claims of service connection for various conditions, including polysubstance dependence, bipolar disorder, PTSD, bilateral foot peripheral neuropathy, sleep apnea, and renal failure. The Board dismissed these claims as the Veteran had withdrawn them.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease (CAD), hypertension, diabetic neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction have been granted. The claim for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for OSA, diabetes mellitus, right foot diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and left foot diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began in or were aggravated by service.,Service connection was also denied as the Veteran's OSA is not related to his service-connected hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with prior remand instructions and the need for an independent medical opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's right breast cancer. The issues are now pending further review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for various disabilities, including lumbar spine disability, left and right sciatic neuropathy, right shoulder disability, right knee limitation of motion, left knee limitation of motion, and left knee instability. The case is being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for right and left lower extremity diabetic neuropathy are being remanded due to non-compliance with previous Board directives.

The Board has remanded the claims for right and left upper extremity neuropathy due to additional medical inquiry. The Veteran underwent VA examination in August 2022, which found no right upper extremity neuropathy disorder but found such a disorder on the left likely unrelated to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for ratings in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected right and left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, finding that the evidence did not warrant such a rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability and the medical opinion found that his condition was not related to service.,Service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity and left lower extremity was also denied due to lack of a current diagnosis.

The Veteran's hypothyroidism is presumed to be related to service in Vietnam. Service connection for lumbar and thoracic spine disabilities, obstructive sleep apnea, psoriasis, right lower extremity neuropathy, and left lower extremity neuropathy are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA audiometric records.