Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for headaches, but denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board denied service connection for asthma, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is not related to his active duty service.,The Board also denied service connection for bilateral lower and upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, concluding there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including colon cancer and its secondary effects on other body parts. The decision found no evidence of in-service injury or disease that could be linked to these conditions.

The Veteran's skin disability, eye disability, heart disability, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy are being remanded for further development regarding his exposure to herbicide agents in Korea.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the previously denied claims.

Service connection granted for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD. Service connection denied for sleep apnea.,The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus is found to be the primary cause of his peripheral neuropathies, hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder, right lower extremity nerve disorder (claimed as neuropathy), right knee disability, left knee disability, and anxiety. The evidence does not support a current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, right foot disability, bowel disorder, lipomas, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, and hemorrhoids due to inadequate medical opinions regarding in-service herbicide exposure. Additional development is required.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for left upper, right upper, right lower, and left lower extremity neuropathy secondary to diabetes mellitus due to outstanding SSA records.

The Board has denied an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for coronary artery disease with revascularization and ischemic heart disease (heart disorder). The claims for right femoral nerve neuropathy, left femoral nerve neuropathy, right sciatic nerve neuropathy, and left sciatic nerve neuropathy are all remanded due to the need for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.,New evidence has been submitted supporting the Veteran's claim of service connection for chronic myeloid leukemia. The claim is reopened, but further development is needed as the Veteran's PTSD alone does not meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's spine injury claim has been reopened, and service connection for a spine injury is granted.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity is granted as secondary to service-connected type II diabetes mellitus. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity is also granted as secondary to service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and type II diabetes mellitus are denied due to failure to appear for scheduled VA examinations without showing good cause.,Service connection for a spine injury is remanded, as the Veteran has provided evidence of a fall at a VA facility in November 2014 that may be related to his service-connected conditions. The RO must seek all relevant records and conduct appropriate development regarding this claim.,Entitlement to specially adapted housing and special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or being housebound is remanded, as the Veteran has provided evidence of a spine injury and peripheral neuropathy claims that may be related to VA care.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of right and left upper extremities disabilities, including tendonitis, as well as right and left lower extremities neuropathy. The issues are related to exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development and consideration, including the submission of a VA Form 21-8940 to evaluate his disability picture throughout the period on appeal. The RO must consider referral to the Director of Compensation Services for extra-schedular consideration.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities was denied due to lack of evidence showing a diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy in any of his four extremities. The new evidence received since the April 2007 rating decision does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, schizophrenia, substance abuse, and major neurocognitive disorder was reopened but denied due to lack of evidence showing a confirmed diagnosis of PTSD and a verified in-service stressor. The new evidence received since the May 2008 rating decision does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board denied service connection for right and left foot peripheral neuropathy, finding no evidence of frostbite or cold damage in service that could have caused the current conditions.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension (SMP) is dismissed as he has been granted SMC based on the need for aid and attendance of another person.,SMC benefits are granted, effective August 1, 2012, due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities requiring regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes, and cardiovascular issues, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU and established basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II as secondary to a service-connected heart disability, and service connection for right and left lower extremity neuropathy as due to diabetes mellitus. The Veteran is also eligible for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or adaptive equipment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical strain, chronic muscle tension headaches, and peripheral neuropathy of the ulnar nerve of the left upper extremity due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for updated VA examinations.