Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for evaluations of his left and right lower extremity idiopathic peripheral polyneuropathy due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and tinnitus have been granted.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, sinus disorder, right shoulder disorder (to include as secondary to bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy), and bilateral hearing loss claims are remanded.

The Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities has been granted, resulting in special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and hypertension were not shown as chronic in service, did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period, continuity of symptomatology is not established, and are not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's ischemic heart disease was not secondary to a service-connected disability, was not shown as chronic in service, did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period, continuity of symptomatology is not established, and is not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The evidence of record persuasively weighs against finding that the Veteran has had chloracne at any time during or approximate to the pendency of the claim.,The evidence of record persuasively weighs against finding that the Veteran has had bilateral tinea pedis at any time during or approximate to the pendency of the claim.,The evidence of record persuasively weighs against finding that a right cheek laceration scar began during active service, or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The cerebrovascular accident is not secondary to a service-connected disability and is not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is not secondary to a service-connected disability and is not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is not secondary to a service-connected disability and is not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is not secondary to a service-connected disability and is not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is not secondary to a service-connected disability and is not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The bilateral hearing loss was not shown as chronic in service, did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period, continuity of symptomatology is not established, and is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetic neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities was granted with an effective date of April 22, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right ulnar neuropathy is being remanded due to the need for a new examination.

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss, left lower extremity neuropathy, and right lower extremity neuropathy due to in-service herbicide agent exposure.,Service connection is remanded for heart impairment and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower and upper extremities have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for a disability rating in excess of 40 percent for bilateral feet gouty arthritis prior to February 28, 2022, has been denied.

The Board denied service connection for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding no evidence of chronic conditions in service or within the applicable presumptive period.,Service connection was also denied for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, schizophrenia, and major depressive disorder. The Board found no credible evidence linking these disorders to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for verification of herbicide agent exposure and further medical examination.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy and bilateral lens implantation due to cataracts. The VA will need to provide an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions, specifically addressing whether they are related to service or any exposure to gas during service.

The Veteran's bilateral upper and lower extremity neuropathies are rated at 20 percent, but he contends they are more severe. The Board finds the April 2022 VA examination inadequate for adjudicative purposes due to inconsistencies between the examiner's assessment of nerve severity and functional impairment.

The Board has granted the petition to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy. The claims for service connection for skin cancer and sleep apnea are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU/SMC based on his peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities due to incomplete compliance with prior remand instructions.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted service connection based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his Vietnam service. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities is remanded due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities as secondary to diabetes mellitus type 2, and low kidney function as secondary to diabetes mellitus type 2.,There is no evidence that any in-service exposure to herbicide agents occurred.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for award of a TDIU, and his service-connected disabilities preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that an effective date earlier than July 2, 2019, for the award of service connection for all eleven peripheral neuropathy disabilities cannot be granted based on the filing of a formal claim within one year from the intent to file.

The Board has remanded four issues related to the Veteran's service-connected peripheral artery disease and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities due to a lack of recent VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, left lower extremity, right upper extremity, and left upper extremity on a presumptive basis due to exposure to toxic herbicides during active duty in Vietnam.