Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus type II, erectile dysfunction secondary to diabetes mellitus type II, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II have been granted. The Board has also remanded the Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral lower extremity vascular disease as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings of neuropathy of the lower extremities due to incomplete development. The Veteran's request to withdraw his appeal for TDIU is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, type II diabetes mellitus, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea and depression.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to December 8, 2016. The evidence does not show that the Veteran was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including hearing loss, tinnitus, benign prostatic hypertrophy, prostatitis, hypertension, depression, hypothyroidism, anemia with iron deficiency, sleep apnea, upper and lower peripheral neuropathy, are all denied.,No evidence of in-service injury or disease is found to be related to the Veteran's current conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II (DM II) was withdrawn. The Board granted the Veteran's claim for seizures, finding that reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran's claim has been resolved.,Service connection is denied for chloracne as there is no evidence of current disability and the Veteran did not have chloracne during service or within one year after separation from service. Service connection for osteoporosis of the left hip and right hip, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are also denied due to lack of in-service onset.

The Board has dismissed the claims for increased disability ratings for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity neuropathy, and diabetes mellitus type II. The claim for an increased disability rating for left upper extremity neuropathy was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's service connection claim for ischemic heart disease is granted due to exposure to herbicide agents in the Korean DMZ.,The Veteran's service connection claim for right optic neuropathy, as secondary to his service-connected ischemic heart disease, is also granted.

The Veteran's right ulnar neuropathy, asthma, ankylosing spondylitis with sacral joint involvement, and PTSD have been granted service connection. The Veteran is now receiving a 30 percent rating for his asthma from May 31, 2018.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to the need for updated VA examination reports and additional evidence.

The Veteran's radiculopathy claims are remanded due to the need for updated VA and private treatment records, as well as a VA peripheral nerves examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of depressive disorder, diabetic neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities affecting the sciatic and femoral nerves have been denied due to failure to report for scheduled VA examinations in September 2023.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU has also been denied as it is dependent on the claims for increased ratings which were denied.

The Board denied service connection for Charcot-Marie-Tooth syndrome (CMT) and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to a lack of evidence showing that these conditions manifested in or were aggravated by military service.,Service connection is not granted as there is no credible evidence linking CMT or the peripheral neuropathies to active duty.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right leg disabilities, including arthritis and peripheral neuropathy, due to exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand. The VA examiner is requested to provide an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,A 30 percent rating for chronic motion sickness is granted.,Service connection for a heart disability is denied.,Service connection for varicose veins is denied.,Service connection for bilateral flat feet and bilateral upper calf neuropathy are precluded due to lack of service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's claim for sleep apnea, lumbar spine disorder, and other issues is remanded.

The appeals for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II (DM), a kidney disorder, vision disorder, and neuropathy secondary to DM have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, right and left lower extremities due to a duty to assist error in obtaining missing service treatment records. The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is being examined to determine its relationship to his active service.

The Veteran's right upper extremity diabetic neuropathy is now rated at 50 percent effective May 11, 2021.,The Veteran's left upper extremity diabetic neuropathy is now rated at 40 percent effective May 11, 2021.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, left lower extremity, and both hands as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.