Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including ratings for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of various extremities, as well as effective dates for service connection. The main reasons are the need for additional medical examinations and records review.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, finding that there is relative equipoise in the evidence regarding whether these conditions are related to presumed herbicide agent exposure during active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral upper extremity neuropathy due to inadequate opinions and missing records. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is granted as service connected due to herbicide exposure. The Board also remanded the issues of peripheral neuropathy, bilateral knee disorder, and skin disability for further examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the Veteran's prostate cancer residuals from 100% to 40% was improper and has restored the original rating. The claims for increased ratings for bilateral lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, femoral nerve (right and left) are remanded due to lack of recent VA examination. The claim for SMC based on housebound status is granted from April 7, 2016.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development regarding service connection for various conditions due to potential exposure to herbicides during service.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance/housebound due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded as there is insufficient medical evidence to determine if he needs regular aid and assistance.

The Veteran's HIV infection (claimed as HIV and AIDS) is rated at 100 percent since July 28, 2017, due to the presence of secondary diseases afflicting multiple body systems.,SMC for the Veteran is granted from July 28, 2017.

The Board has found that further remand is required due to the need for VA examinations and retrieval of VA treatment records. The Veteran's claims for cervical spine condition, bilateral knee condition, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and hypertension are all being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, lumbosacral spine strain, ischemic heart disease, erectile dysfunction, congestive heart failure, peripheral neuropathy, and hiatal hernia, have been denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,Service connection is not granted as the Veteran's current disabilities are not presumed by exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is currently rated at 20 percent from July 31, 2020. The Board has remanded for further development to determine if a higher rating is warranted.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims for service connection for left upper extremity, right upper extremity, left lower extremity, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to report for VA examinations and the need for additional medical opinions regarding various service connection claims.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the condition, particularly in relation to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disability, low back disability, and neuropathy of the lower extremities are related to his military service. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity has been granted at a 40 percent level, effective from April 23, 2012. The other issues remain denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity is secondary to his service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, diabetic retinopathy, and various neuropathy disorders and hearing loss and tinnitus. The Board found that the Veteran did not have any in-service endocrine, cardiovascular, or vision injury, disease, or event, and that symptoms of diabetes, hypertension, and a vision disorder were not continuous after service separation or manifested to a compensable degree within one year of service separation.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, diabetes mellitus type II remains at 10 percent, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are both rated at 10 percent. Service connection for hypertension was granted on a presumptive basis under the PACT Act.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy and an eye disability, to include dry eye syndrome. The Veteran's claim for bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is denied as his current nerve disability does not appear to be proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.