Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2022

The Board has reopened the Veteran's service connection claims for hypothyroidism, infertility, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities. The AOJ previously denied these claims due to lack of verified herbicide exposure. The Board finds new evidence submitted since previous decisions is relevant and sufficient to permit readjudication. However, additional remand is required to verify the Veteran's reported in-service exposure to various hazardous materials at Fort McClellan, Alabama.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities from July 1, 2018, except for the period when he was in receipt of a combined 100 percent schedular disability rating.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypertension, erectile dysfunction, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, high cholesterol, and obstructive sleep apnea have been granted. Effective dates of December 18, 2017, but not earlier, have also been established for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Guam, as the evidence supports a link between the Veteran's current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's left ulnar and radial neuropathy is rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations.

The Board has found the eligibility determination for PCAFC benefits to be legally inadequate and remands the case for a new medical determination regarding personal care services, supervision or protection needs, and regular or extensive instruction or supervision.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to duty-to-assist errors regarding service connection for congestive heart failure and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities. The Veteran's lay claims of herbicide exposure are insufficient to trigger VA examination, but he did claim exposure to sea water as a drinking source during service.

The Veteran's service connection for diabetes mellitus type II (DMII) is granted, and the case is remanded for further examination on cerebrovascular accident (CVA) and peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, type II, with bilateral cataracts and right eye retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and hemorrhoids, are being remanded for additional development to determine their current severity.

The Board has granted service connection for right lower extremity and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that the current disabilities are at least as likely caused by a service-connected foot disability.

The Veteran's initial ratings for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were granted at a 30% level. Additionally, the Board granted entitlement to Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) effective from January 4, 2010.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities as there is no evidence linking it to active service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that a VA examination and opinions are needed to determine if the Veteran's neurological disabilities, including peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, are related to his service in Vietnam, specifically exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy and carpal tunnel syndrome were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating from December 3, 2018 to April 16, 2020.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, hypertension, respiratory disability, psychiatric disability, back disability, bilateral hand disability, bilateral elbow disability, and bilateral shoulder disability. The evidence does not show current disabilities for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, diabetic retinopathy, cataracts in the left eye, peripheral neuropathy of various extremities, and plantar fasciitis have been granted.,Service connection is established based on exposure to herbicide agents during active military service.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA claims are denied as the effective date for both benefits is February 27, 2020.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus. The remaining issues have been remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened and granted effective March 24, 2017. The claims for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity and left upper extremity were also granted effective March 24, 2017.