Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral upper and lower peripheral neuropathy due to deficiencies in the October 2022 VA medical opinion, which did not address whether the Veteran's disabilities were caused or aggravated by service-connected conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating for left ulnar neuropathy, and the Board has dismissed this claim.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy, erectile dysfunction, and microalbuminuria are all found to be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. As such, the Veteran is granted service connection for these conditions as secondary to his diabetes.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type 2 is rated at 40 percent, effective October 8, 2015. Prior to January 23, 2016, the Veteran was not entitled to a TDIU due to his employment status. Effective January 23, 2016, he is now entitled to a TDIU.

Service connection is granted for peripheral neuropathy and denied for left ear hearing loss. The case of gout is remanded.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were granted a disability rating of 20 percent prior to July 15, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, type I and its related peripheral neuropathies are remanded. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected conditions, particularly his chronic kidney disease, contributed substantially or materially to his death from intestinal perforation.

The Board denied service connection for left hand carpal tunnel syndrome and left foot neuropathy as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II due to lack of evidence supporting a nexus between the conditions and service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD, peripheral neuropathy of the lower and upper extremities, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Board has denied service connection for neuropathy, bilateral upper and lower extremities as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both upper and lower extremities, finding that exposure to herbicide agents during active duty in Thailand is presumed.

The appeal is dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he withdrew his claims in a written correspondence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities necessitated the aid and attendance of another, leading to a grant of SMC based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, type II, erectile dysfunction, and neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities have all been denied.,There is no evidence of a current disability in any of these conditions. The Board finds that the Veteran does not meet the threshold element required to establish service connection.

The Board has determined that additional remand is necessary to obtain etiological opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral lower and upper extremity peripheral neuropathy and sleep apnea in accordance with Lynch v. McDonough, 999 F.3d 1391 (Fed. Cir. 2021).

The Veteran's claims for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, GERD, and OSA have been reopened due to new evidence. Service connection is granted for these conditions.,Service connection for hypertension is granted on a direct basis as it is found to be related to in-service herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to incomplete or conflicting opinions regarding his neurological conditions, anxiety disorder, and eligibility for benefits. The claims will be reviewed again with additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, as his medical examinations indicate he can perform sedentary work.