Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right foot amputation and peripheral neuropathy, have resulted in loss of use of his right foot. The Board has determined that he is eligible for financial assistance to purchase an automobile and adaptive equipment due to this condition.

Your claims for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and hypertension have been granted in a March 2023 rating decision. The Board has now dismissed your appeal as there are no longer any issues to consider.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus is not service connected due to lack of a current disability. However, his claim for secondary service connection related to obesity and hypertension is remanded as there are insufficient medical opinions provided.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death. The claims for stable angina, hypertension, RUE peripheral neuropathy, LLE femoral nerve paralysis, and LLE peripheral neuropathy affecting the sciatic nerve were not addressed as they are no longer before the Board.

The Board has granted service connection for Parkinson's disease and diabetes mellitus, type II (DM II), both presumed due to herbicide exposure in Thailand. Service connection was denied for left lower extremity diabetic neuropathy and right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for the residuals of bilateral fractured distal radius open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), including bilateral wrist arthritis or median nerve neuropathy, due to a lack of evidence showing that VA carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault caused these conditions.

The Veteran's right and left foot disabilities, as well as peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, are granted. The Veteran's service connection claims for these conditions are based on direct evidence rather than a presumption or secondary theory.

The Veteran's TDIU is granted as of June 10, 2015, due to his service-connected disabilities and employment in a 'protected environment'. The effective date for this decision is June 10, 2015.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including peripheral neuropathy and hip disorders, have been denied as there is no separate and distinct diagnosis of these conditions.,Additional VA examinations are needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral ankle disorder, groin rash, bone disorder, and toenail disorder.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for scars on the right hand, left and right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy affecting the sciatic nerve, and left and right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy affecting the femoral nerve are all denied.

The Veteran's hypertension, coronary artery disease (CAD), diabetes, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities are all granted as service-connected due to herbicide exposure under the PACT Act.,VA has ordered additional examinations for COPD, BPH, and residuals of a stroke secondary to diabetes.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II was rated at 20 percent, and his bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (femoral nerve) was each rated at 10 percent prior to August 7, 2023. Beginning August 7, 2023, the Veteran's right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were both rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues regarding the rating for diabetes mellitus and its complications, including whether separate ratings are warranted. The Veteran's service-connected diabetic complications (neuropathy and nephropathy) need to be evaluated based on their earliest onset date, which is not specified in the decision.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to service-connected hypertension. The left hand disability issue is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, nerve damage, and increased ratings for anxiety disorder with insomnia and right lower extremity neuropathy. The Veteran was found not to meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD or nerve damage, and his symptoms were deemed insufficient to warrant higher disability ratings.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions, finding that there was no evidence of herbicide agent exposure and that the Veteran's conditions were not related to his military service.

Your service connection claims have been granted, but the Board cannot provide further relief as your benefits are now fully awarded.

The Veteran's compensable disability rating for a residual scar, left axilla area is denied due to the scar not being painful or unstable and having an area less than 929 square centimeters.,The Veteran's increased rating claim for his left upper extremity ulnar and median nerve neuropathy is denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has denied service connection for right axillary neuropathy due to the lack of evidence of a current disability. The remaining claims, including left axillary neuropathy and a left shoulder condition, are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the right lower extremity neuropathy.