Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2023

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for swelling of the right and left lower extremities, peripheral neuropathy, and fatigue syndrome. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service.

The Board denied service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and coronary artery disease as the Veteran was not exposed to herbicide agents during his active duty at Fort McClellan.

The Board has granted a TDIU from September 27, 2011 to August 7, 2012 due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities making it impossible for him to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the issues of service connection for GERD, neuropathy, and DJD of the left hip are remanded due to insufficient evidence.,For GERD, the claim is remanded as there are conflicting opinions regarding its onset during service and whether it is aggravated by a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's diabetes was not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period; continuity of symptomatology is not established; and the disability is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.,The evidence of record persuasively weighs against finding that the Veteran's BLE peripheral neuropathy began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The evidence of record persuasively weighs against finding that the Veteran's BUE peripheral neuropathy began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The evidence of record persuasively weighs against finding that the Veteran has had bilateral CTS at any time during or approximate to the pendency of the claim.,The evidence of record persuasively weighs against finding that the Veteran's bilateral eye conditions began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and a peripheral vascular disability as secondary to herbicide exposure. Service connection was granted for hypertension under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective August 28, 2015. His dementia secondary to diabetes mellitus type II is granted service connection. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy and diabetes are not entitled to a higher rating.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, including chronic B-cell leukemia and other conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to inadequate medical opinions and missing Social Security Administration records. The Veteran is presumed exposed to herbicide agents, which may be related to his upper extremity nerve condition and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his diabetes and kidney issues, required regular aid and attendance. The Board granted SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding service connection claims, including those related to neurobehavioral conditions, unspecified multiple neurological problems, and various extremity conditions. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder will also be remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and relationship of diabetes to active service, as well as secondary service connection for heart condition, intestinal condition, bilateral upper extremity neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy based on diabetes.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for initial compensable rating, initial rating in excess of 20 percent, and earlier effective dates for his service-connected residual scar and left ulnar nerve neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the claims due to new evidence obtained by VA, and the Veteran is entitled to a full review of his claims.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of his left thumb condition, including flexor tenosynovitis, is remanded due to the need for an addendum medical opinion addressing the etiology of his disability.

The Veteran's SMC claim is being remanded due to the need for additional service connection determinations and rating actions.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II; coronary artery disease; hypertension; left eye ischemic optic neuropathy; and nuclear sclerosis of bilateral eyes have been reopened due to new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for all conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a peripheral nerve condition, including cervical radiculopathy and/or peripheral neuropathy as due to herbicide exposure, is denied. The Board found no direct or presumptive evidence linking the current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, coronary artery disease, and hypothyroidism) precluded him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his eye disability and mental health condition, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted the TDIU based on these conditions.