Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and its associated diabetic neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities have been granted. The exposure is presumed to be due to his in-service duties aboard the USS Ranger.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's claims can be adjudicated. The claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, as well as the TDIU claim, are remanded.

The Veteran is unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, and the Board has granted TDIU from October 10, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings and TDIU is remanded due to incomplete development of his RUE peripheral neuropathy claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased disability rating and initial ratings for his right elbow disabilities due to inadequate examination reports. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for skin disability of the hands, diabetes mellitus type II (DM), and bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to inadequate development. The Veteran's claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development, specifically requiring an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is related to her service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, require the regular aid and attendance of another person due to their severity. The Board finds that SMC based on aid and attendance is granted.

The Board has found that further examination and opinion are necessary before a decision can be rendered regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including back disability, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, bilateral leg disability other than peripheral neuropathy (muscle atrophy), and eye disability (cone-rod dystrophy).

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, and related secondary conditions have been granted. However, the Board has found that additional evidence is needed to determine if his kidney disease and peripheral neuropathy are secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination and medical opinion regarding the etiology of the appellant's claimed right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, which he asserts is related to his presumed herbicide agent exposure in service. The RO must obtain all VA treatment records since November 2019 and schedule the appellant for a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, sleep apnea, diabetes, and neuropathy, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since February 27, 2012. The Board finds that the criteria for TDIU are met prior to May 6, 2016.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral upper extremity neuropathy due to Agent Orange exposure and secondary to service-connected heart disability. An addendum opinion is needed to address whether the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy was caused by his service, including any Agent Orange exposure in service, and whether it was aggravated by his service-connected heart disability.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his Vietnam service is likely a cause of his current condition.

The Veteran's nerve disorder affecting the left lower extremity, including neuropathy and radiculopathy, is remanded for further evaluation due to missing service treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy required regular aid and attendance of another person, leading to the grant of SMC based on this condition. The prostate cancer was separately considered for a higher rate of SMC.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with anxious distress is related to her active service, and the resulting physical disabilities are also considered secondary to this condition.,The Veteran has been granted service connection for loss of use of the left eye, optic neuropathy of the left eye, right mandible disorder, and TBI as these conditions are found to be proximately due to her major depressive disorder with anxious distress.

The Board has remanded the claims for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, as well as other conditions including a deviated septum, shoulder, knee, ankle, foot, psychiatric disability (PTSD), and sleep apnea. The Veteran must submit a statement of the case to proceed with these issues.

The Veteran's appeals for reduction in rating, severance of SMC, automobile and adaptive equipment eligibility, and specially adapted housing eligibility were denied due to fraud.

Effective December 17, 2012, a 30 percent rating for peripheral neuropathy of the anterior crural (femoral) nerve is granted. Separate noncompensable ratings are granted for peripheral neuropathy of the internal saphenous and obturator nerves.