Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2022

The Veteran's appeals for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for bilateral pes planus, an effective date prior to December 6, 2014 for the grant of a 50 percent disability rating for bilateral pes planus, and nonservice-connected pension have been dismissed.,New and material evidence has been received for sleep apnea, right ankle arthritis, and left ankle arthritis. The claims are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to outstanding SSA records that may contain relevant evidence. The earlier effective date claim is inextricably intertwined with the TDIU claim.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for multiple myeloma, skin cancer, prostate disability, erectile dysfunction, bilateral hearing loss, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities. The issues have been remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is not service-connected and was not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected pes planus. The Board denied entitlement to compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy or nerve damage, as well as denial of service connection.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for cervical disc disease, neuropathy of the right upper extremity, and neuropathy of the left upper extremity. The Board also found that these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to January 18, 2017.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neurological disorders of the bilateral upper and lower extremities are as likely as not related to his in-service electric shock injury, granting service connection for all four conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for high blood pressure, rheumatoid arthritis, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, cerebrovascular accident (claimed as mini strokes), bilateral hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The AOJ must obtain updated medical records from the Veteran's new location in Florida.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a lumbar spine disorder is granted. The Board also remanded several other claims, including those for increased ratings and service connection.

The Board has remanded the cases due to increased symptomatology and new evidence, requiring further examination for both lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and hypertension.

The Board has remanded the cases due to failure to report for VA examinations and because SSA records may contain relevant information.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of his diabetes mellitus and hip disabilities, as well as the intermediary step theory of service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, rosacea/actinic keratosis, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy of both upper and lower extremities. The decision found that new and material evidence was not received to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU and SMC based on Aid and Attendance and/or Housebound status was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a TDIU prior to November 13, 2012, and that he did not need regular aid and assistance or be housebound due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to non-compliance with previous remands and issues related to transportation problems preventing the Veteran from attending a VA examination. The Veteran is requested to attend an appropriate VA examination for his claimed peripheral neuropathy of the left and right upper extremities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, bilateral lower extremities and deep vein thrombosis left lower extremity (claimed as bilateral leg condition and neuropathy), and lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease L5-S1 (back condition). The evidence of record is insufficient to establish a link between the Veteran's current disabilities and either his military service or other service-connected disability.

The Board has dismissed all claims for service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for polyneuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and bilateral lower extremity meralgia paraesthetica due to insufficient medical opinions addressing their etiology.,Effective dates earlier than specified in the decision are not warranted for the grants of service connection for tinnitus, fibromyalgia, IBS, dermatitis and lipomas, vasomotor rhinitis, and PTSD/CFS.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hypertension, rhinitis, right ear hearing loss, and a psychosis for treatment purposes has been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy has been granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic and femoral nerves are denied. The Board found that the current severity of the Veteran's symptoms does not warrant a higher rating at any point during the appeal period.