Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2023

The Veteran's right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and radiculopathy were not rated as compensable prior to February 27, 2008.,From February 27, 2008, the Veteran's right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and radiculopathy were rated at a maximum of 20 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, gastrointestinal disorder (GERD and abdominal pain), and prostate cancer residuals are all granted. The rating claim for prostate cancer residuals is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for neuropathy of the left and right upper extremities as due to herbicide exposure, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted a TDIU. The issues of increased ratings for diabetes mellitus Type II and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities are dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence, and will consider any new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disability, hypertension, lymph node disability, and bilateral hand numbness disabilities are remanded due to the need for VA examinations.

The Veteran's combined service-connected rating is at least 40 percent, effective March 29, 2016. The Board finds that the Veteran meets the schedular criteria for consideration of TDIU and has been found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities since March 5, 2018.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the ratings for lumbosacral strain, right and left lower extremity femoral nerve peripheral neuropathy, and right and left lower extremity sciatic nerve peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU from October 6, 2020 is granted. The Board also remanded the claims of higher ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the femoral nerves in both lower extremities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, a bilateral hand condition, and neuropathy of the bilateral feet. The appeal for increase in disability evaluations for metatarsalgia of the right foot and scarring of the left hand was also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for tinnitus, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and skin cancer due to Agent Orange exposure.,A VA medical opinion is required regarding the Veteran's skin cancer and a VA examination with an opinion is required for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left arm disability, finding that her condition did not manifest in service or to a compensable degree within one year after service and is not etiologically related to her active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and kidney disorder, to include kidney stones, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. Bilateral upper extremity and lower extremity diabetic neuropathy have also been granted as secondary to his now service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and ratings for diabetes-related conditions. Additional development is needed to clarify whether the Veteran has these conditions and if they are related to his service-connected diabetes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition, right knee condition, and right arm nerve damage due to potential service connection issues.

The Board has dismissed all the issues in your appeal, including increased ratings for diabetes and peripheral neuropathy, SMC based on aid and attendance, service connection claims for various conditions, due to your withdrawal of the appeals.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the claims for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Veteran's coronary artery disease rating is also remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting medical opinions regarding whether a peroneal nerve injury was reasonably foreseeable as a risk of the July 1999 excisional biopsy procedure. The Veteran's right lower extremity peroneal neuropathy is being reviewed with the assistance of an additional medical opinion from a Dermatology specialist.

The Board has remanded the claims for initial review by the AOJ of new evidence, including VA treatment records associated with the Veteran's claim folder since December 2020. The claims will be adjudicated in light of this additional evidence.

The appeal for attorney fees is dismissed due to the untimeliness of the appellant's VA Form 9.