Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2022

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and clarification regarding the severity of his service-connected conditions, specifically peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy and entitlement to a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) because additional relevant evidence was associated with the file after the issuance of the August 2020 supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to April 15, 2019.

The Veteran's liver disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.,Earlier effective dates are granted for the awards of service connection for right and left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy.,An initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II is denied.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy, bilateral lower extremities as the evidence did not show early onset within one year of presumed herbicide exposure or a relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to failure of the Veteran to report for VA examinations. The matter is being returned for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone do not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to December 16, 2020.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for his acquired psychiatric disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), has been withdrawn. The Board also granted a TDIU based on the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, hallux valgus/bunions, and right foot hammer toes due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or any presumptive exposure. The Veteran's reports about his symptoms were found inconsistent with how the currently diagnosed disabilities are known to develop.

The Board has remanded the claims for obstructive sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, TDIU prior to April 16, 2019, and SMC based on need for aid and attendance due to conflicting evidence in the record.,Further development is needed to address the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and the severity of his peripheral neuropathy.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including OSA, anxiety disorder, hypertension, dizziness, kidney cancer, gall bladder disorder, left elbow disorder, neck disorder, headaches, and peripheral neuropathy. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions had onset in active service or were otherwise causally related to active service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's neck disability and neuropathy of the left upper extremity, finding that it is at least as likely as not that these conditions were incurred during active duty.

The Board denied service connection for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service or exposure to contaminated drinking water at Camp LeJeune or herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to exposure to tactical herbicide agents, as well as asbestos exposure. The issues include heart disability, hypertension, prostate cancer, skin disability, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and respiratory disability.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy sciatic nerve have been granted increased evaluations of 20 percent each, effective from June 25, 2009.,The Veteran has also been granted a determination of total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for back fusion issues, pancreatitis, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy of the ulnar and sciatic nerves. The appeal seeking service connection for PTSD due to military sexual trauma is granted.

The appeal is being remanded due to non-compliance with previous remand directives regarding the issue of payment or reimbursement for emergency medical care provided by Kaiser Permanente on June 10, 2009. Additional development is needed including verifying the Veteran's health insurance coverage and obtaining a medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence indicating potential herbicide agent exposure in Vietnam. The issues include prostate condition, diabetes mellitus type II, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, diabetes mellitus, lumbar spine osteoarthritis, lichenoid dermatitis, bilateral cataracts, and bilateral hearing loss, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to September 17, 2015.

The Veteran's stroke was granted service connection and is considered proximately due to his service-connected diabetes.,His diabetes mellitus type II remains at a 20% rating, as he does not require regulation of activities.