Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2022

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and consideration of all evidence. The claims for service connection are related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity idiopathic peripheral neuropathy, as these conditions are presumed to be associated with herbicide exposure. The VA will obtain additional medical opinions to determine if there is a link between the Veteran's current diagnoses and his active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his claimed disabilities, including type II diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, hypothyroidism, myocardial infarction residuals, hypertension, hemorrhoids, and gastrointestinal disorder. The remand requires further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to his inability to travel and attend scheduled examinations.

The Board has determined that remand is necessary to obtain a new VA examination for the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, and to conduct additional development regarding his intertwined claims for initial disability ratings in excess of 10 percent for right and left lower extremity diabetic neuropathy.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection. The cases for eye disability, psychiatric disability, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether it was caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability. The AOJ is instructed to obtain an addendum opinion addressing these issues.

The Veteran's claim for left eye vision loss is denied. The Board granted separate 10% ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the femoral nerve in both lower extremities from December 28, 2016. However, the claims for increased ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy and TDIU are all denied.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type 2. The claim for left hand peripheral neuropathy is denied, and the TDIU prior to May 25, 2019 is remanded.

The Board has granted effective dates of March 13, 2001, for the right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and May 2, 2008, for the left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran's claims are denied for earlier effective dates.

The Board denied the Veteran's increased rating claims for peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic and femoral nerve of the right lower extremity, finding that the evidence did not support a higher than 10 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for superficial peroneal sensory neuropathy of the left lower extremity was denied, and his claim for a TDIU prior to September 17, 2013, was also denied.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the feet, finding that there is no competent or credible evidence demonstrating a link between the condition and service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination to determine the relationship between his service-connected polymyositis and any new conditions such as tinnitus, right hip pain, and joint pain, and adjudicating the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's service connection claim for erectile dysfunction is granted. The claims for renal dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, and hypertensive heart disease are remanded.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including service connection for his heart disorder, skin rash on hands, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of lower extremities, and acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD). The appeal will be remanded to allow for further development.

The Board has withdrawn the issues of service connection for chloracne, effective date prior to February 28, 2013, for a 20 percent rating for diabetes mellitus, and increased ratings for erectile dysfunction (ED), coronary artery disease (CAD) with myocardial infarction (MI) and status post coronary bypass surgery, acne vulgaris with scarring, and DM. The issues of initial compensable ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity (LUE), right (major) upper extremity (RUE), left (minor) lower extremity (LLE), and right lower extremity (RLE) have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the feet, diabetes mellitus, type II, and a left eye disorder due to in-service herbicide exposure. The AOJ is instructed to conduct further development to determine if the Veteran had active service within 12 nautical miles of the Republic of Vietnam.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, lumbar spine disability, diabetes mellitus type 2, and neuropathy of the left arm. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including traumatic brain injury, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, lung disability (COPD), hypertension, erectile dysfunction, back disability, hip disabilities, and foot disabilities. The cause of death is also under review.