Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2022

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including cardiovascular disease, lumbar spine disability, lung cancer, hypertension, lymphoma, diabetes mellitus, and neuropathy, as the evidence does not support a link to active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to lack of proper investigation into the Veteran's claimed nautical service in Vietnam, which could have provided herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, have prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment as of April 23, 2020.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are granted. The Veteran is entitled to presumptive service connection for his conditions due to herbicide exposure in Thailand.

The Veteran's APML is granted with an effective date of July 6, 2007.,Left arm peripheral neuropathy, right leg peripheral neuropathy, left leg peripheral neuropathy, and left eye vision loss are all granted with the same effective date of July 6, 2007.,The scar on the Veteran's chest is also granted with an effective date of July 6, 2007.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities have been granted.,Service connection is established for diabetes mellitus, type II based on the PACT Act presumption. The Veteran was presumed to be exposed to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand.

The Board has found the March 2021 decision inadequate and remanded for an updated medical review to determine if the Veteran requires personal care services each time he completes one or more activities of daily living, including dressing, bathing, and toileting. The decision also notes that the Veteran may require regular supervision, protection, or instruction to keep himself safe.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic and femoral nerves has been granted increased ratings, with effective dates prior to October 31, 2018. TDIU was also granted for the period from October 31, 2018 to April 10, 2019.

The Board has remanded several issues including service connection for various disabilities and increased ratings, as well as an earlier effective date claim. The Veteran's claims are now pending with the RO.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding when the Veteran's ulnar neuropathy resolved and whether his reported flare-ups could be attributed to service-connected or nonservice-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate retrospective opinions regarding his service-connected lumbar degenerative joint disease and spinal stenosis, as well as peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity. The issues related to TDIU prior to October 26, 2021, are also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, heart disease, and neuropathy are remanded due to the need for further development regarding his exposure at Fort McClellan.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate development and need for updated medical opinions. The Veteran's lay statements are considered in determining the etiology of his cervical spine disorder, peripheral neuropathy, and ED.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, hair loss, swallowing difficulties, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to new evidence. The claims are being remanded for further development regarding exposure to toxic herbicides while in service.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy were granted initial ratings of 20 percent, effective May 16, 2022. The appeal was remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete evidence and need for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and identifying specific in-service exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete evidence and need for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and identifying specific in-service exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral upper extremity diabetic neuropathy as it is a result of the Veteran's service-connected diabetes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss, central corneal scar of the right eye, lagophthalmos of the upper eyelid of the right eye, and optic neuropathy of the right eye are etiologically related to his in-service traumatic injuries. Service connection is granted for these conditions.,The effective date for service connection remains August 20, 2013.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to a need for updated medical examinations and consideration of additional evidence.