Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2022

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for left ankle disability, right medial epicondylitis, skin disability and right ankle disability, as well as his earlier effective date claims. The Board also dismissed his appeal seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss and acquired psychiatric disability. The Board remanded several issues including service connection for sleep apnea, increased ratings for right knee and ankle disabilities, and an increase in rating for right ulnar neuropathy.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The appeal is remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's claim of sinusitis.,Service connection was not granted for sinusitis as there is no current diagnosis or evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's claim for secondary service connection for right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy of the ulnar nerve is remanded due to the need for updated VA examination and medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in a need for regular aid and attendance of another person, which has been granted. However, as the remaining service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for housebound status, the claim of entitlement to SMC based on housebound status is dismissed.

The Veteran was granted SMC based on loss of use of both hands due to service-connected disabilities resulting in no effective function remaining other than that which would be equally well-served by an amputation stump below the elbow with use of a suitable prosthetic appliance.,SMC for loss or loss of use of one or both feet was denied as the evidence did not show loss of use of either foot.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, specifically his diabetic peripheral neuropathy and other lower extremity nerve disorders, preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and its associated peripheral neuropathy in both upper and lower extremities due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed herbicide exposure during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and a special home adaptation grant need to be remanded due to insufficient evidence from recent VA examinations.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for diabetes, cardiac disability, vision disability, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to the appellant's death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for traumatic brain injury, chronic headaches, left ear hearing loss, chronic sinusitis, left elbow disability, middle back disability, low back disability, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), dysentery, left hip disability, right hip disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left lower extremity neuropathy, right lower extremity neuropathy, left foot disability, and right foot disability due to incomplete records from his National Guard service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding his diabetes mellitus claim.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities are evaluated at 20 percent, but the Board finds moderate incomplete paralysis rather than moderately severe. The issue remains on remand.

The Board has remanded the claims for gastroesophageal reflux disease, sinusitis, hypertension, and diabetic neuropathy due to insufficient medical opinions addressing their etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand. The claims for left and right leg disorders are remanded as the VA medical opinion is needed to address the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is rated at 30 percent since January 26, 2015.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, obstructive sleep apnea, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to inadequate opinions in previous examinations. The Veteran's claims are also being remanded for a determination on total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as due to herbicide exposure. The cases of left hip disorder, right shoulder disorder, and psychiatric disorder are remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, and TDIU claims due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the severity of his condition and need for aid and attendance. The SMC claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for neurological impairment of the right lower extremity, including radiculopathy and sciatic neuropathy secondary to his already established lumbosacral strain (low back disability), is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding objective findings of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, TBI, and right lower extremity neuropathy due to potential new theories of entitlement and need for additional development.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for a TDIU and denied an increased rating for type II diabetes mellitus. The claims of higher ratings for peripheral neuropathy and radiculopathy are remanded for further evaluation.