Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2023

The Veteran's alcohol abuse disorder and sleep apnea are aggravated by his service-connected conditions, leading to the grant of service connection for these issues. Service connection was also granted for peripheral neuropathy secondary to alcohol abuse.

The Veteran's diabetes with erectile dysfunction is not rated higher than 20 percent. The Veteran's RUE and LUE peripheral neuropathy are each rated at 20 percent, effective from February 19, 2016. Ratings for the right and left femoral nerve peripheral neuropathy remain at 20 percent. Ratings for the right and left sciatic nerve peripheral neuropathy are granted at 40 percent as of September 28, 2022. The Veteran's lower extremity peripheral vascular disease is remanded.

The Veteran's lung cancer, diabetes mellitus, and diabetic polyneuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are granted as service-connected due to exposure to herbicides during active duty.

The Board denied service connection for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, finding insufficient evidence to support a secondary or direct relationship to the Veteran's service-connected spine conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected left peroneal nerve neuropathy, residual of gunshot wound, is granted a 40 percent disability rating from October 4, 2001, to September 2, 2008. A higher rating is denied for the period after September 3, 2008.

The Veteran withdrew all of her remaining claims and appeals pending before the Board, including service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a rating in excess of 30 percent for right ulnar traumatic neuropathy, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for residual tender scar, right elbow.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to secondary service connection being raised by his testimony. The AOJ must arrange VA examinations to consider both direct and secondary service connection, including assessing whether any current conditions are related to active duty service or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for heart disease, sleep apnea, and peripheral neuropathy of both upper and lower extremities due to their relationship with the Veteran's military service. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy has been reopened and granted. The Board found new and material evidence to support the reopening of this claim, but denied secondary service connection for right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome as it is not related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for deviated nasal septum and iliohypogastric/genitofemoral neuropathy, status-post inguinal hernia repair surgery were denied as the evidence did not show that his conditions warranted a compensable rating.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted as due to herbicide exposure. However, the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities is denied as there is no evidence linking it to his active duty service or his service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, neuropathy of the left upper extremity, and neuropathy of the right upper extremity are remanded for further development. The lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease is also remanded for a new rating determination.

The Board dismissed all appeals as the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and prostate gland disability, as these issues are intertwined. The VA examiner is requested to provide an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, considering medical journal evidence cited in the December 2022 Appellate Brief.

The Board has determined that the VA examiner's opinion regarding service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the Veteran's hands and feet is inadequate due to not addressing direct service connection based on presumed Agent Orange exposure. Another remand is necessary to obtain an addendum opinion from a clinician.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a lumbar puncture, finding no current diagnosis and insufficient evidence to support any complications related to the procedure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Major Depressive Disorder is granted. The claims for increased ratings for Diabetes Mellitus type II and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is likely related to his exposure to herbicides during service, granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right feet, rheumatoid arthritis, and arthritis in both knees due to herbicide agent exposure. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is also granted as secondary to rheumatoid arthritis.