Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2023

The Board has granted increased ratings of 40 percent for the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding it to approximate moderately severe incomplete paralysis.

The Veteran's lung cancer is granted service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicides. Service connection for left and right leg peripheral neuropathy are also granted, with the cause of death being attributed to lung cancer.

The Board has dismissed all claims for service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right thumb and right hand disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating than what was currently assigned.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II warrants a disability rating of 40 percent effective July 10, 2017. The Board found that the Veteran required insulin and a restricted diet from July 10, 2017, but not regulation of activities.

The Board has denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, left upper extremity, and left lower extremity as there is no evidence of current disability during the Veteran's lifetime.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional medical examinations and records, as well as clarification on jurisdiction over certain conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and bilateral upper and lower extremity neuropathy on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicide agents during Reserve service in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than May 21, 2012 for left great toe neuropathy and left lower extremity sciatica have been denied as the effective date is based on the date of receipt of the claim.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine DDD, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, right lower extremity sciatica, and a lumbar scar received August 31, 2011 have been denied as there are no earlier unaddressed filings or communications that would warrant an earlier effective date.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine and thoracolumbar spine disabilities, as well as alcohol abuse disability and peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities.,Reasoning: The medical evidence supports a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy in all extremities are being remanded due to the need for additional VA medical records.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were denied, but service connection was granted for right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy due to aggravation by diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left leg neuropathy, finding that the Veteran's condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.

The Veteran's service-connected left lower extremity neuropathy with foot drop, combined with his bilateral knee arthritis, causes the loss of use of his left lower extremity and precludes locomotion without assistive devices. The Board granted a certificate of eligibility for specially adapted housing.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings have been withdrawn, and the cases are dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left lower extremity neuropathy, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his service-connected left ankle disability and his current condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and thyroid disorder due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's service connection claim is pending as presumptive based on herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for a disability rating higher than 20 percent for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left and right hands due to conflicting medical evidence concerning the specific nerve group or groups affected.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, peripheral neuropathy of bilateral upper and lower extremities, and hypertension are denied as there is no credible evidence of herbicide exposure during service. The conditions were not shown to be related to service or secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle and foot disorders, as well as her requests for higher ratings for her right knee disability. The evidence does not support a finding of current diagnoses or a link between any diagnosed conditions and service.