Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2022

Service connection is granted for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus (type II) due to exposure to herbicide agents in Guam, effective from the date of the decision.,Service connection is also granted for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities as secondary to service-connected diabetes.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims for service connection for PTSD, hypertension, diabetes, thoracolumbar disability, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities due to new and material evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed. The Board found no evidence of a low back disability, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, or blurred vision that had onset during service and are not otherwise related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to incomplete development of evidence, including verification of exposure to contaminated wells in Okinawa and Guam.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for her dog bite residuals, as ulnar nerve neuropathy affecting her right hand, finger, and wrist. The remand is due to the failure of the Veteran to attend a scheduled VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including migraine headaches, right upper extremity neuropathy, urinary dysfunction, asthma, and various knee and ankle disorders, rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to April 1, 2020.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for a sleep impairment disorder as secondary to his service-connected neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and private therapy records.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy associated with his bilateral hammertoes, status post surgery for phlangectomy bilateral fifth toe and right second toe, were each rated as 10 percent disabling from October 9, 2013.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral feet, sleep apnea, and atrial fibrillation (A-fib) as these conditions are not related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) as due to herbicide exposure, based on the Veteran's Vietnam-era service and his current diagnosis of CAD.

The Veteran's bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's prostate cancer, ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, and bilateral peripheral neuropathy were denied service connection as they are not related to his active military service.,Service connection for the Veteran's prostate cancer was reopened due to new evidence provided.

The Veteran's varicose veins of the right and left lower extremities are rated at 40 percent each, which is the maximum rating under the current schedular criteria.,For his psoriasis with pustular component and folliculitis (skin condition), a disability rating in excess of 10 percent prior to December 19, 2017 was denied. From December 19, 2017, he is granted a disability rating of 30 percent or higher.,For his right upper extremity neuropathy, a disability rating in excess of 10 percent prior to December 19, 2017 was denied. From December 19, 2017 to June 11, 2021, he is granted a disability rating of 30 percent or higher.,For his left upper extremity neuropathy, a disability rating in excess of 10 percent prior to December 19, 2017 was denied. From December 19, 2017 to June 11, 2021, he is granted a disability rating of 20 percent or higher.,For his right upper extremity neuropathy from June 11, 2021, he is granted a disability rating of 40 percent or higher. For his left upper extremity neuropathy from June 11, 2021, he is granted a disability rating of 30 percent or higher.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity and a rating in excess of 10 percent for type II diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for residuals of a back scar, a rating in excess of 20 percent for IVDS, and service connection for LUE PN have been denied.,Additional development is needed to address the severity of LLE radiculopathy and the etiology of sleep apnea secondary to a deviated septum.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for higher disability ratings for diabetic neuropathy and diabetic related carpal tunnel syndrome of the upper extremities, as well as bilateral diabetic retinopathy, have been denied.,No compensable rating has been assigned for the Veteran's bilateral diabetic retinopathy.

The Veteran's diabetes and related complications, including peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, are granted with increased ratings. Service connection for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU), Dependents' Educational Assistance, and Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) based on loss of use of a creative organ is also granted.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service-connected due to in-service herbicide agent exposure. The issues of service connection for neurological impairment, kidney condition/urinary tract disability, and bilateral eye disability are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for colon cancer, hypertension, spinal cancer tumor, sleep apnea, blood clots in the legs, deep vein thrombosis of the left lower extremity, lung disorder, stroke residuals, neuropathy, cardiac disorder, kidney disorder, and a left leg disorder due to exposure to herbicide agents during service. The remand also includes the issue of a TDIU.