Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional records and information from the appellant, her medical providers, and SSA. The goal is to determine if the appellant was permanently incapable of self-support before turning 18.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is rated at 20 percent under Diagnostic Code 5271, and a higher rating of 30 percent is granted for marked limitation in motion.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities is granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's neuropathy of the left upper extremity is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is currently rated at 30 percent, and the appeal for a higher rating has been denied.,The Veteran's left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is currently rated at 20 percent, and the appeal for a higher rating has been denied.,The Veteran's chronic pancreatitis with calcifications is currently rated at 60 percent, and the appeal for a higher rating has been denied.

The Board has denied service connection for implosive anger and nerves, separate from the service-connected PTSD with generalized anxiety disorder. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding alcohol abuse, drug abuse, sleep disturbance, and hernia secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus was granted. Service connection is also granted for diabetic neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and hypertension.

The Board has determined that there was a procedural error in recognizing the Veteran's VA Form 10182 and placing his appeal on the AMA system. The issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the right foot, and peripheral neuropathy of the left foot are remanded to allow the Veteran to file a timely Notice of Disagreement (NOD) in the legacy VA system.

The Veteran's appeal is being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction for consideration of additional evidence. His claims for service connection and increased ratings are pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy constituted the same disabilities for which he received concurrent VA and OWCP compensation. Therefore, the appeal is denied.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as due to exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange).,Service connection for diabetic neuropathy affecting the bilateral upper and lower extremities is granted as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type 2.,Diabetic retinopathy has not been shown by evidence of record.,The Veteran's tremors are presumed due to exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange).

The Veteran's Raynaud's syndrome was granted a 40% rating effective April 24, 2015. Service connection for bilateral upper extremity neuropathy and cold weather injury to the bilateral hands with arthritis were also granted effective July 9, 2015.

The Board has found that remand is necessary for further development regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy and a heart condition. The issues have been remanded due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for Graves's disease and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities due to incomplete medical opinions and potential errors in legal interpretation. The Veteran is still eligible to pursue these claims.

Service connection is granted for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and trigeminal neuralgia. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder secondary to trigeminal neuralgia is remanded.

The Veteran's DM2 with diabetic retinopathy is rated at 20 percent, and the separate compensable rating for diabetic neuropathy is denied.,For the period prior to November 13, 2012, the Veteran's neuropathy of the right lower extremity warrants a 40 percent disability rating under DC 8520, and his neuropathy of the left lower extremity warrants an 80 percent disability rating under DC 8520. The Veteran's neuropathy of the left upper extremity and right upper extremity are not service-connected.

The Veteran's skin disability, claimed as melanomas, is remanded due to lack of evidence during the appeal period.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy and below-the-knee amputation of the right leg are both remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's cerebral vascular accident is granted as service-connected, and the issues of hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral lower extremity diabetic neuropathy, and erectile dysfunction are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for COPD and peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran is also seeking a higher rating for his asbestosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to inadequate statements of reasons and bases, as well as insufficient examinations. The Veteran is required to undergo new VA examinations to assess his current level of impairment with regard to his service-connected left shoulder disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right wrist, left wrist, cervical spine, and lower extremity neuropathy, are not supported by evidence of record. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding these issues.