Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for scars on the left foot (toes) as secondary to his service-connected exostosis of feet, but denied service connection for right and left lower extremity sciatica and peripheral neuropathy as secondary to his service-connected exostosis of feet.

The Veteran's CLL, diabetes, GVHD of the lips, and bilateral neuropathy are granted as service-connected due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Okinawa. The Board found reasonable doubt in favor of the appellant for all conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him so helpless as to be in need of the regular aid and attendance of another individual, thus SMC based on aid and attendance is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity polyneuropathy was not caused by or aggravated by VA treatment, and thus compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to October 2, 2019, for service connection of diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities. The Veteran also had his eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 denied due to not meeting the permanent total service-connected disability requirement.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are not entitled to a higher disability rating than currently assigned. The restoration of the 20 percent ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the femoral nerve in both lower extremities is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him so helpless as to be in need of the regular aid and attendance of another individual, thus SMC based on aid and attendance is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for effective dates and ratings have been dismissed as he has withdrawn all his pending appeals before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has restored service connection for right upper extremity, left upper extremity, left lower extremity, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to the original grants of service connection being based on honorable service and not fraud.

An effective date of July 18, 2018 is granted for the grant of a 40 percent rating for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities and right upper extremity, as well as a 30 percent rating for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity.,An effective date of July 3, 2019 is granted for the grant of TDIU (Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability).

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to in-service herbicide exposure or secondary to service-connected CLL. The Veteran was not provided with a VA examination by a neurologist as required, and further examinations are needed.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type 2 with erectile dysfunction and associated neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities are being remanded for further evaluation due to conflicting medical evidence regarding his need for regulation of activities and potential additional complications.

The Board has determined that additional development is required for the claims of service connection for various conditions, including hemorrhoids, lumbar herniated disc, bilateral cataracts, left and right sciatic nerve paralysis, cervical herniated disc, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is for a higher disability rating for dorsal cutaneous sensory neuropathy of the right foot. The Board has found that additional VA and private treatment records are needed to properly evaluate this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II with associated peripheral neuropathy, finding no evidence of herbicide agent exposure during service and insufficient evidence to establish a direct relationship between his conditions and service.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims for various conditions as the appellant died during the appeal process.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and etiology of his peripheral neuropathy and bilateral hearing loss. The claims will be reviewed on a de novo basis.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction and denied claims for service connection for LLE and RLE peripheral neuropathy due to lack of current diagnoses. The Veteran's symptoms are attributed to his lumbar spine disorder.

Your appeal for a higher disability rating for your service-connected left lower extremity neuropathy has been dismissed because you withdrew it before the Board made a decision.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's lumbar sprain with degenerative disc disease prior to June 24, 2019, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter remains remanded for additional development.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is remanded for addendum opinions regarding its etiology.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is remanded for addendum opinions regarding its etiology.,The Veteran's neuropathy of the left upper extremity, right upper extremity, and right lower extremity are remanded for addendum opinions regarding their etiology.,The Veteran's neuropathy of the left lower extremity is remanded for addendum opinions regarding its etiology.