Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2022

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for hearing loss is denied, and a TDIU prior to June 24, 2021, is granted.

The Veteran's LLE and RLE radiculopathies are granted with a 10% rating, effective August 31, 2010 for LLE and December 18, 2014 for RLE. Service connection is granted for LUE neuropathy but depression service connection is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions are not adequate to rate the Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy conditions, as they do not address the severity of his condition dating back to January 2018. The claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed left leg peripheral neuropathy and sciatica, as they did not consider her in-service injuries. The VA must obtain an addendum opinion on these issues.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to incomplete development and the need for additional medical opinions. The Veteran's hyperlipidemia, dyslipidemia (abnormal fat disposition), hypertension, glucose intolerance, anemia, left ventricular hypertrophy, fatty liver disease, splenomegaly, right groin muscle strain, RLE varicose veins, LLE varicose veins, and RLE venous insufficiency are all being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left lower extremity idiopathic neuropathy, bilateral foot condition, and right knee degenerative arthritis as secondary to total left knee arthroplasty due to insufficient opinions from the VA examiner.

The Veteran's asbestosis is granted due to in-service asbestos exposure.,Service connection for lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and higher initial ratings were denied. The effective date of the awards was set at September 28, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to potential PACT Act exposure and need for an addendum opinion regarding COPD.

The Veteran's initial ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper and lower extremities have been granted at 40 percent, but not higher. The rating for left upper and lower extremity neuropathy remains at 20 percent.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is dismissed as moot because he is already receiving a 100% combined schedular rating for his service-connected disabilities, rendering the issue of TDIU moot.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI, IBS, left upper extremity neuropathy, right upper extremity neuropathy, and residuals of a neck injury are all denied as there is no evidence of current diagnoses or in-service incurrence.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD is remanded due to the absence of a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in entitlement to SMC under certain provisions, but additional SMC benefits are denied as moot due to pre-existing entitlement.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2 and bilateral lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error in verifying the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange during service at Subic Bay.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus type II and related peripheral neuropathy, spinal fusion, bilateral eye disability (blindness and diabetic retinopathy), and sleep apnea due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives. The claims are inextricably intertwined as resolution of one may impact another.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral neuropathy of the feet, also claimed as bilateral cold feet, is caused by his in-service exposure to cold temperatures while stationed at Camp McNair in Japan. As such, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II, coronary artery disease, and hypertension are presumed to be associated with herbicide agent exposure during service.,Service connection is granted for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to the service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has denied earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for bilateral upper extremity neuropathy.,The Veteran's claims for increased initial ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy in his left and right upper extremities are remanded.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities are granted as service-connected due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.