Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy are remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower and upper extremities due to potential direct or secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for left lower extremity neuropathy as a manifestation of a service-connected left ankle disability due to unclear evidence in the record and insufficient reasoning.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran's conditions are found to be related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service-connected PTSD, and the claim for service connection is granted. The issues of rating for trauma and stressor related disorder, left knee disability, right knee disability, and peripheral neuropathy are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions were denied. The hearing loss was found to be noncompensable, while the other conditions did not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to the need for private medical records and an examination to assess the Veteran's service-connected conditions and their impact on his ability to use a wheelchair, braces, crutches, or canes as a normal mode of locomotion.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus was withdrawn, and the TDIU claim is granted from December 15, 2010.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back disorder, bilateral upper and lower extremity neuropathy, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to in-service injuries and stressors. The claims are being remanded for additional examinations and consideration.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, as well as diabetes mellitus Type 2 (DM), were granted. The Veteran was assigned a 40 percent rating for DM from July 6, 2020.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy and scars related to injuries sustained in service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, but the Board is remanded for further development including consideration of a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities, as well as right and left arm disabilities, all of which are deemed to be directly related to in-service motor vehicle accidents.

The Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathy of multiple extremities, and erectile dysfunction on the basis of herbicide exposure in Thailand during covered service. The disorders are presumed to have been incurred due to this exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to potential herbicide exposure. The VA is required to obtain a copy of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering & Medicine's (NAS) report on Agent Orange and provide the Veteran with an examination.

The Board has decided to remand the issue of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, including as a result of herbicide exposure or as secondary to service-connected diabetes. The Veteran is advised that his examination should be rescheduled and he should be provided adequate notice.

The Veteran's insomnia has been granted a disability evaluation of 30 percent, effective March 4, 2020. The issues of increased evaluations for bilateral lower extremity neuropathy and an effective date prior to July 30, 2018 for the award of special monthly compensation based on housebound criteria are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hand neurological disorder, left foot disability, and right foot disability due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The VA is required to obtain additional medical opinions addressing the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities and neurogenic bladder, both related to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus. Service connection for multiple sclerosis is remanded due to conflicting opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, causes him to be in need of regular aid and attendance due to his balance issues, difficulty walking, weakness, and fall risk. The Board has granted SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance.