Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for right upper extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, as well as hearing loss in both ears, and sleep apnea (OSA) were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection due to lack of in-service incurrence or aggravation.,The Veteran's claims for these conditions are based on direct service connection rather than presumptive exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection for peripheral neuropathy with anemia, a compensable rating for sinusitis with allergic rhinitis prior to January 4, 2021, and entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for insulin resistance/metabolic syndrome, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of a current disability for VA compensation purposes.,The Veteran was diagnosed with bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy but the evidence does not support a finding that it began during service or is related to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for right upper extremity neuropathy of the median nerve was denied, and he is still receiving a 50 percent rating. The Veteran also received a compensable rating (10%) for his scar secondary to the service-connected disability of right upper extremity neuropathy of the median nerve.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea, respiratory disorder, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to service connection issues. Additional medical opinions are needed to address the onset and relationship of these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for various disability ratings and service connection claims have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as they are rated at less than 60% combined and there is no sufficient additional disability to bring the combined rating to 70%. The Board finds that the Veteran has not been prevented from securing or following substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, but he was not in need of nursing home care or permanent housebound status. He is granted SMC based on the need for aid and attendance by another.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, attributing it to Agent Orange exposure. The evidence did not support a current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the onset and relationship of these conditions to his military service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's left shoulder osteoarthritis and associated peripheral neuropathy warrant a higher disability rating than 20 percent. However, further development is needed to clarify if the 'Popeye deformity' is related to his service-connected shoulder condition or if it is a separate issue.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's left leg disability, including his arthritis and its relationship to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral neuropathy of the upper extremities, including as secondary to military environmental exposure and service-connected diabetes mellitus type II (DM II), due to a lack of evidence showing that his condition was incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to April 6, 2019.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right upper and lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities, including as secondary to his service-connected right foot condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for neuropathy of the right wrist, as secondary to his service-connected right wrist tendonitis, is being remanded due to an inadequate VA medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete opinions and need for additional development. The issues include psychiatric disorders, obstructive sleep apnea, hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus, Parkinson's disease, carpal tunnel syndrome, and peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity due to exposure to herbicide agents. The RO needs to conduct additional development, including contacting MRRC to verify the Veteran's alleged exposure during his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed. The Board has granted a 10% rating for the back and right wrist scars from January 22, 2018 onwards.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.,The Veteran's dermatitis is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board does not find any evidence supporting a higher rating.