Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for a lower back disability and remanded the issues of increased evaluation for neuropathy of the ulnar nerve and service connection for a current disability of the right forearm. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy with CTS of the upper extremities and lower extremities, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to November 17, 2022.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is granted. The claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities are remanded due to lack of a current diagnosis or opinion regarding these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to October 21, 2020, for femoral nerve peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities due to insufficient evidence and need for retrospective opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to exposure to herbicide agents, including Agent Orange exposure while stationed in Thailand. The appellant is seeking presumptive service connection based on her husband's alleged exposure to herbicides during his military service.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity due to insufficient evidence and need for further development, including a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cardiac disorder, idiopathic chronic neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and lumbar spine disability due to lack of in-service incurrence or link to service. The Veteran was not exposed to herbicide agents during his service in Korea.

The Board has determined that the current sensorimotor polyneuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is not related to service, specifically due to a separate etiology. The Veteran's medical records suggest his condition may be associated with Agent Orange exposure, but an updated VA opinion is needed to clarify this relationship.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with the terms of its previous remand instructions. Further remand is necessary to obtain all VA treatment records from 1999 to the present and to verify the Veteran's alleged service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including peripheral neuropathy and arthritis. The cases are now remanded for further development, including VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted effective May 29, 2012. The service connection for upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spine disability, right ankle disability, and lower extremity neuropathy, have prevented him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has remanded the case for consideration of TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus and its complications, peripheral neuropathy, vision issues, bladder problems, gastrointestinal symptoms, and hypertension, were denied as they are not related to his service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including blurry vision in his right eye, a left elbow scar, IBS, GERD, bilateral knee and arm conditions, joint and muscle condition, paresthesia (claimed as neuropathy), and balance issues. The claims are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development on issues related to service connection and initial ratings for his diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The claim for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened, but the issue of a higher rating remains denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for DM, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to in-service treatment records indicating a prior diagnosis.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is granted service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicides in Thailand. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and bilateral upper extremities is denied as there are no current diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's erectile dysfunction.