Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2022

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board has determined that further examination and consideration of his service-connected condition are needed due to the possibility of additional complications.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities. The Veteran's lumbar spine condition was found not to be related to his active service.,Service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity was also denied as it is not linked to his in-service injury or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right radial nerve is now rated at 30 percent, while all other peripheral neuropathy conditions remain at 20 percent.

The Veteran's claim for reentrance into a VR&E program was denied as there is no evidence showing that her service-connected disabilities have worsened to the extent that she cannot perform her current job duties, and her occupation previously found rehabilitated under Chapter 31 is not shown to be unsuitable.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disorders have been reopened, but the Board has remanded these issues due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for RLE peripheral neuropathy is pending and will be remanded as well.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to the Veteran withdrawing their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, right lower extremity neuropathy, and left lower extremity neuropathy have been granted service connection.,Service connection for hypertension is also granted as it is secondary to the previously established service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service aboard the U.S.S. Rehoboth is as likely as not related to his current condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to failure of the Veteran to provide requested information and forms necessary for VA to adjudicate his claim of entitlement to a TDIU. The remaining issues on appeal are for further development, including scheduling VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to insufficient evidence showing he was unable to secure and maintain gainful employment despite his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for idiopathic neuropathy of the right hand, left hand, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity has been granted.,Service connection is remanded for the Veteran's claims of service connection for idiopathic neuropathy of the right upper extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity.

From December 23, 2011 to October 8, 2014, the Veteran was granted a 20% rating for peripheral neuropathy affecting both lower extremities (sciatic and femoral nerves).,The effective date of this increase is October 8, 2014.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to outstanding medical records and a need for additional opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD results in deficiencies in most areas, but not total social and occupational impairment. The Board denied an increased rating for PTSD as the evidence did not show total occupational and social impairment.,The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for DMII, HTN, and peripheral neuropathy of the hands and feet due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active duty. Service connection was not granted as there is no evidence of herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's increased ratings for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are denied. The TDIU claim is granted prior to April 21, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure has been withdrawn.,Service connection is granted for ischemic heart disease due to herbicide exposure, as the evidence supports a finding of herbicide exposure and association with this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, a lumbar spine disability, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. The Veteran's appeals are now pending with the VA for further review.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the right shoulder was reopened and granted. The Board found that his current right shoulder degenerative arthritis had its onset during active service, granting service connection for this condition. Other claims were remanded due to outstanding medical records.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is found to be proximately due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.