Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2022

The Veteran's kidney cancer, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are all granted service connection due to presumed in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has granted service connection for neuropathy of the right lower extremity, left lower extremity, and right hand. The evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active-duty service.

Service connection for a back condition is granted.,Service connection for essential tremors secondary to herbicide exposure is denied. The Veteran's current diagnosis of essential tremors does not meet the presumption for service connection for a chronic disease under 38 C.F.R. § 3.309(a).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease was granted on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure. The claims for peripheral neuropathy were denied as there is no evidence of onset in service or causation related to service, including presumed herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy in the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to herbicide agent exposure, as the VA opinions are inadequate.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus and its secondary condition, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, was granted with effective dates of July 6, 2010, and December 22, 2015 respectively.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating, as well as his claim for TDIU due to inadequate examination reports. The claims will be addressed with new or corrected opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including bilateral hearing loss, heart disability, neurological disabilities of the upper and lower extremities, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and PTSD. Additional medical opinions are needed regarding the relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus type II, coronary artery disease (CAD), erectile dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to incomplete medical opinions and potential outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection and rating of peripheral artery disease.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, including as secondary to diabetes mellitus, is dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, including as secondary to diabetes mellitus, is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for neck pain has been reopened due to the receipt of new and material evidence. The claims for neuropathy, right upper extremity, and tinnitus have been granted.,The Veteran's back and left knee disabilities are being remanded for further examination.

Effective April 9, 2012, the Veteran was granted TDIU for PTSD.,Effective October 12, 2020, SMC was granted due to a combined rating of 100% for service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's cervical spine disability did not have its clinical onset during service or within one year of his discharge, and is therefore denied. The issue of peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations were not conducted in accordance with the May 2022 remand directives and thus, another examination is required to determine if the Veteran's bilateral upper and lower extremity neuropathy are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, finding that it is due to in-service exposure to an herbicide agent while stationed in Vietnam.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to May 2, 2011 due to a lack of evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities precluded him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the cause of the Veteran's death and whether his service-connected conditions contributed substantially or materially to his death. The appellant must provide an adequate opinion on these issues.