Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2022

The Board has dismissed all the issues of entitlement to service connection for various conditions, including heart condition, lung condition (also claimed as asbestosis), sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy, Barrett's Esophagus/gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastritis/celiac disease, and neurological effects (restless leg syndrome).

The Board has remanded the claims for increased rating for DM II, service connection for left and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to DM II, and service connection for IBS as secondary to PTSD or medication taken for DM II due to incomplete records and need for additional development.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy was granted a 40 percent rating from February 23, 2017, to February 4, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his lumbosacral spine and right lower extremity neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for right upper extremity neuropathy and a right hip disorder due to insufficient medical opinions and lack of consideration of certain evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetic peripheral neuropathy in both lower extremities due to insufficient consideration of the effects of medication on symptom severity and duration, as well as the issue of total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes mellitus type II, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has remanded the case for clarification of his employment history during the appeal period and for an opinion on the functional impairment caused by these conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether his symptoms are related to active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, coronary artery disease (CAD), cataracts, colon cancer, left foot pain, and PTSD due to potential service connection issues.

The Veteran's hypertension and coronary artery disease are granted as directly related to his exposure to herbicide agents during service.,The Veteran's hypertensive cardiovascular disease is granted as secondary to his service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran is granted an annual VA clothing allowance for 2013 due to a knee brace prescribed for his service-connected peripheral neuropathy.,The Veteran's hand braces do not cause wear and tear to his clothing, thus denying the claim for a clothing allowance in 2013.,No service-connected back disability or skin condition was found to warrant a clothing allowance for a back brace or topical creams. The claims are denied.,Entitlement is granted for use of ammonium lactate cream as it does not cause wear and tear on the Veteran's clothing.,The Veteran's use of menthol/methyl salicylate is not for a service-connected skin condition, thus denying the claim.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetic neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities due to a lack of current disability diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to exposure to toxic chemicals, as the Veteran's recent VA examination is inadequate.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, as well as his request for an effective date prior to August 8, 2018, for SMC based on housebound status. The criteria for a higher rating were not met in any of these cases.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's claims for GERD, stomach disorder, and OSA have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.,Service connection for OSA was denied because there is no persuasive evidence that it began during service or is related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for depression has been dismissed. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have been granted. The remaining issues are being remanded due to lack of a current diagnosis or treatment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining specific dates of active duty service and ACDUTRA/INACDUTRA periods. The Veteran's left lower extremity neuropathy will be evaluated in light of his Reserve service, with an addendum opinion to address whether it is at least as likely as not related to such service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection for various diabetes-related conditions have been denied. The earliest date of receipt of the claim is February 9, 2009.,The Veteran also had a claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for chronic ischemic heart disease due to his diabetes, which was granted on March 12, 2010.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of peripheral neuropathy in both upper extremities and diabetes mellitus, type II due to the Veteran's death.