Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to conflicting evidence regarding herbicide exposure and the need for an addendum opinion. The Veteran's lay statements are considered, along with available records indicating his presence in the Korean DMZ.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including malaria and its residuals, chloracne, cataracts, knee disabilities, jaw glands, polyps, cervical spine disability, peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, diverticulitis, diabetes mellitus type II, fibromyalgia, lumbar spine disability, and left lower extremity neuropathy. The Board found no evidence to support these claims.

The Board granted an effective date of August 16, 2019 for the award of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities, sciatic nerve with initial 20% evaluation and thus for a total combined schedular rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left hand numbness, including whether it is related to herbicide exposure or diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including VA examinations and obtaining medical records. The issues of service connection for traumatic brain injury, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and effective dates are all remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as due to herbicide exposure, and hypertension on a presumptive basis under the PACT Act.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional VA opinions to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's lower back disability, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right shoulder disability. The issues are being returned due to inconsistencies in previous opinions and the need for clarification on service connection.

The Veteran's cause of death is granted due to his service-connected coronary artery disease and diabetes, which materially contributed to his death. However, DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is denied as the Veteran did not meet the requirements for a total disability rating at any point prior to his death.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle condition and denied service connection for exposure to contaminated water in Camp Lejeune. The claims for other conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's diabetes is granted due to herbicide exposure. The claims for service connection of left ankle, peripheral neuropathy (upper and lower extremities), back disability, right shoulder, left shoulder, right ankle, right knee, and left knee disabilities are all granted.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and opinions are needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, ulcerative colitis, and neurological conditions. The claims for increased ratings and service connection will be remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that the Veteran's conditions are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as presumptively related to herbicide exposure during service.,Myasthenia gravis, small fiber sensory neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities, and acute herpes zoster neuropathy are all granted as presumptively related to herbicide exposure during service.,There was no evidence provided that these conditions were not related to the Veteran's military service.

PTSD and diabetes mellitus type 2 increased ratings are denied.,Peripheral neuropathy claims for the lower extremities are denied as no claim was filed prior to September 10, 2018.

The Board has denied service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, neurological disability of the lower extremities, left upper extremity neuropathy, right upper extremity neuropathy, and vertigo as there is no evidence that these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining private treatment records from Dr. L. Coates and providing an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's muscle atrophy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, neuropathies, and cardiovascular issues, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for Grave's Disease and bilateral extremity peripheral neuropathy, both of which are presumed to be related to exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is caused by or a result of his February 2013 right shoulder surgery, and whether it was reasonably foreseeable as an ordinary risk of the treatment.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have neuropathy of either upper extremity and is therefore denying service connection for this condition. The cervical spine, lumbar spine, left elbow, right elbow, left shoulder, and right shoulder disorders are remanded for further review.