Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include prostate disability, erectile dysfunction, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, lumbar spine disability, and peripheral neuropathy of both upper and lower extremities.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted service connection. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, erectile dysfunction (ED), right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for entitlement to increased disability ratings and SMC based on loss of use of both feet due to insufficient evidence regarding functional impairment.

The Veteran's headache disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected tinnitus, PTSD, peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic and femoral nerves, diabetes mellitus type II, and depression.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and bilateral hand conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to September 29, 2011.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, right upper extremity, left lower extremity, and right lower extremity, as well as PTSD. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service exposure to herbicide agents while stationed at Camp Samae San in Thailand.

The Veteran's service connection for a gastrointestinal condition, to include gastritis and GERD is granted. An initial 10 percent rating, but no higher, from January 16, 2008, for bilateral restless leg syndrome (RLS) is granted. A 10 percent rating, but no higher, from December 1, 2017, for peripheral neuropathy, bilateral lower extremities (external popliteal nerve) is granted.

The Board denied a rating greater than 20 percent for left lower extremity neuropathy and remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral myopic refractive error.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that the June 2009 rating decision denying service connection for a neurological disorder was final and no new or material evidence had been submitted within one year.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to dress or undress himself, keep himself clean and presentable, feed himself without assistance, attend to the wants of nature, or require regular care from another person. As such, he is not in need of aid and attendance.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left thumb, a left shoulder condition, and ulnar neuropathy of the left elbow. The evidence did not support the Veteran's assertions that these conditions began during service or were related to in-service injuries.,Service treatment records showed no complaints or abnormalities of the left hand or shoulder during military service.

The Board dismissed all issues of entitlement to service connection as the appellant died during the appeal process.

The Veteran's high blood pressure is granted as service connected due to active service. The bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are denied as not incurred in or due to his time in service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that it is related to his diabetes mellitus and conceded herbicide exposure. The decision also acknowledges the Veteran's current diagnosis of type II diabetes.

The Board denied service connection for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that the evidence did not support a direct link to service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to inextricably intertwined issues. Additional development is needed, including obtaining addendum opinions from VA examiners.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination regarding his need for aid and attendance or housebound status based on service-connected disabilities, especially PTSD. Updated VA treatment records are also needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for neuropathy of the lower extremities, upper extremities (carpal tunnel syndrome), and a psychiatric disorder have been denied. The Board found no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The rating for residuals of left ear cyst excision was also denied.