Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for an increased rating for coronary artery disease and a TDIU. The effective date of service connection remains April 10, 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, Type II and associated diabetic neuropathy disabilities have prevented him from engaging in substantially gainful employment since February 8, 2018. He is also entitled to special monthly compensation at the housebound rate due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for peripheral neuropathy in the sciatic nerve of the bilateral lower extremities was denied. The claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right upper extremities are remanded due to unclear findings from recent VA examinations.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including ischemic heart disease, diabetes, bladder cancer, renal cell carcinoma, and peripheral neuropathy. The development required includes verifying potential exposure to herbicides (Agent Orange) and non-ionizing radiation while serving at Clear Air Force Station in Alaska, as well as possible exposure to PFAS during periods of Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA) at Fort Chaffee.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete development and lack of compliance with previous remands. The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disorder, peripheral neuropathy, psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and headache disorder are all being reviewed.

The Board has granted the Veteran's appeals for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both upper and lower extremities, as well as cardiac disability, to include biventricular dysfunction and chronic atrial fibrillation, all related to herbicide exposure during service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are dismissed. Service connection for MGUS is granted on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Board has vacated the August 17, 2022 decision as it was not based on a review of the entire record. The Veteran's appeal is denied because his PTSD, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy are considered the same disabilities for which he received concurrent VA and OWCP compensation.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for left and right foot neuropathy, as well as other conditions. The VA will need to obtain addendum opinions from qualified medical examiners to determine if the Veteran developed additional disability caused or aggravated by his March 2010 surgery at Lutheran Memorial Hospital.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's left ankle condition and its relationship to service. The VA examiner needs to provide a more detailed opinion on whether the Veteran's current left ankle disability is at least as likely as not related to his in-service injuries.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation during the period of March 31, 2016 to November 13, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right shoulder impingement syndrome and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since May 6, 2011.

The Veteran's service connection for coronary artery disease is granted as secondary to herbicide agent exposure.,PTSD and depressive disorder are rated at 50 percent, with no further issues on appeal regarding this condition.,Bilateral hearing loss has a non-compensable rating.,Prostate cancer remains in remission; the Veteran's current symptoms do not warrant an increased rating.,Peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity (femoral nerve) is rated at 10 percent prior to January 4, 2017 and at 20 percent from that date onward.,Peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity (femoral nerve) remains at a 20 percent rating.,Peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity (sciatic nerve) is rated at 40 percent, with no further issues on appeal regarding this condition.,Peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity (sciatic nerve) is rated at 40 percent, with no further issues on appeal regarding this condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that it is related to his presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of adequate opinion regarding the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy, specifically related to exposures at Camp Lejeune. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type 2, and related peripheral neuropathy and diabetic nephropathy (end-stage renal disease) and diabetic retinopathy have all been granted. The PACT Act presumption of herbicide exposure is not applicable to these conditions.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of peripheral neuropathy in all four extremities and for a TDIU, as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to the decision being made.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation for the period prior to September 23, 2020.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for Hashimoto's thyroiditis was dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his request.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity were denied as there is no evidence that these conditions are related to active service.