Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left ear hearing loss, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, GERD, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities have been granted. The claim for tinnitus has also been granted. Service connection for DM remains at a 20% rating.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the severity of his lower extremity radiculopathy and peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities and TDIU were denied. The Board found that his symptoms did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, and he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of all four extremities, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hypertension. The decision also noted that these conditions are related to the Veteran's diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee, ankle, heel, and peripheral neuropathy conditions have been denied. The claim for heart disorder has been granted under presumptive exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is granted as due to exposure to herbicide agents under the PACT Act, and his bilateral lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy and erectile dysfunction are also granted as secondary to this condition.,The Veteran's asthma and bronchitis claims are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are all found to be service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent for diabetic nephropathy, an earlier effective date prior to May 12, 2017 for the grant of service connection for diabetic nephropathy, and SMC based on housebound status or need for regular aid and attendance have all been denied.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations provided do not substantially comply with the May 2022 remand directives and another remand to obtain a new VA examination is necessary.

The Board has dismissed all appeals regarding service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy of the right foot, and peripheral neuropathy of the left foot due to the Veteran's death.

The Board determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including left ankle disorder, neck disorder, bilateral upper extremity neuropathy, left-sided neurological disorder, left shoulder disorder, left arm disorder, right arm disorder, left hip disorder, left knee disorder, left foot disorder, right leg disorder, and back disorder, were not incurred or aggravated by active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected pes planus and his claimed left foot neuropathy. The case will be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for diabetes mellitus, right lower extremity neuropathy, left lower extremity neuropathy, and erectile dysfunction have been withdrawn. The Board dismissed these claims as the Veteran explicitly requested their withdrawal.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities on his employability. The Board requested additional development, including a VA examination to assess the impact of all his conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and evaluation, including obtaining updated VA treatment records, a medical opinion on secondary service connection, and an examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's radiculopathy.

The Veteran's RLE and LLE diabetic peripheral neuropathy have been granted a 20 percent rating for the period from November 27, 2017 to November 24, 2020.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bipolar disorder and a neurological disorder of the left upper extremity. The claim for bipolar disorder was not reopened, while the claim for the neurological disorder of the left upper extremity is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left-hand disability, including osteoarthritis, Dupuytren's contracture, and peripheral neuropathy, finding that it was less likely than not incurred in or caused by service.