Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected conditions and new claims. The Board has determined that these matters are inextricably intertwined with the previously adjudicated issues, and thus must be remanded for further consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for eye conditions, respiratory disabilities (Asthma and COPD), right arm condition, and left arm condition are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions in the previous VA examinations.

The Board has dismissed all appeals for service connection for various conditions as a result of exposure to herbicide agents due to the appellant's death.

The Board has found that remand is necessary for additional development, including scheduling of VA examinations and obtaining outstanding medical records.

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for a left knee disability and service connection for erectile dysfunction are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,Service connection for ocular migraines is being remanded as there are open medical questions regarding its etiology. The Veteran needs to provide private treatment records or be provided an opportunity to submit them.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a mental disorder, manifested by memory loss, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of his claimed exposure to asbestos and lead.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were reopened, and both conditions are now granted.,Service connection is established for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity and prostate cancer (residual symptoms), with a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD and the newly diagnosed peripheral neuropathy and/or radiculopathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete verification of the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange during his service in Korea. The VA is required to verify this exposure and provide a new psychiatric examination to determine if any current psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder, are related to his service.

The Board has remanded the claims for further evidentiary development, including VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disability. The Veteran was not provided adequate notice of his most recently scheduled examination in December 2022.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of DMII and bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for DMII and bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy are remanded.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for left infrascapular and posterior axillary region scars, increased ratings for diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathies, and ischemic heart disease, as well as an earlier effective date for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development and exposure to herbicides. Additional examinations are needed to determine the etiology of his psychiatric, neurological, and skin conditions.

The Veteran's headaches are caused by his service-connected PTSD and tinnitus.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is caused by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder, is granted. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and diabetes mellitus are denied. Arteriosclerotic heart disease to include coronary artery disease and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus, are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's sensory neuropathy of the left lower extremity of the sciatic nerve and femoral nerves are currently rated at 20 percent each, but he contends for higher ratings.,The Veteran is also seeking an increased rating for his status post laminectomy with spondylolisthesis L4 and L5 condition.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and TDIU with Dependents' Educational Assistance prior to February 24, 2015.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to a lack of adequate medical opinion and missing VA treatment records. The Veteran asserts his conditions are related to herbicide exposure during active duty.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities due to in-service herbicide exposure or as secondary to a back disability. The claims are inextricably intertwined and additional development is needed.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity is granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral strain. The extension of a temporary total rating for lumbar spine surgery convalescence past August 1, 2012, is denied. Service connection for erectile dysfunction and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded due to lack of medical opinions. Service connection for unspecified arthritis (distinct from service-connected lumbar spine disability) is also remanded. The Veteran's residuals of a nasal fracture, adjustment disorder with depressed mood, lumbar strain, and lumbar spine scar are all remanded.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease and related symptoms have been rated based on the severity of his conditions, with some issues denied due to lack of evidence meeting specific criteria.