Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings are remanded due to the need for updated medical examinations.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, as well as diabetic nephropathy. The Veteran's symptoms were not found to rise to a level that constitutes a current disability.,Service connection was also denied for eye disorder (diabetic retinopathy), which was remanded.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50% prior to May 11, 2017. A higher rating is not warranted as the symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 60% or higher rating under Diagnostic Code 8100.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes, tinnitus, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy, have precluded him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined rating of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, chloracne, carpal tunnel syndromes, peripheral neuropathies, right wrist fracture, tinnitus, and coronary artery disease, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to June 19, 2023. Effective from June 19, 2023, the Veteran is in receipt of a combined schedular rating of 100 percent for his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is rated at 70 percent, effective December 2, 2014. The left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is rated at 60 percent, also effective December 2, 2014. The right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is rated at 40 percent from June 24, 2011 to February 13, 2014. The left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is rated at 60 percent, effective June 24, 2011.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of April 18, 2011 for the service connection of diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and left lower extremity disabilities due to exposure to herbicides in Thailand. The Veteran's claims were based on the PACT Act presumption.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic hepatitis C, diabetes mellitus type II as secondary to chronic hepatitis C, liver disease as secondary to chronic hepatitis C, neuropathy left foot/leg as secondary to chronic hepatitis C, and neuropathy right foot/leg as secondary to chronic hepatitis C. A 10% evaluation is assigned.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an opinion regarding the extent of the Veteran's service-connected conditions and their impact on his ability to use hands or feet. The AOJ will obtain this information.

The Veteran's low back disability and associated neuropathy are being remanded for further examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected conditions. Additionally, there is a proposed severance of service connection for right lower extremity neuropathy and left lower extremity neuropathy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral shoulder, shin splints, or skin disability. The cervical spine and upper extremity peripheral neuropathy disabilities are remanded for further development.,Service connection is denied for OSA as there is no evidence to support its onset during service or due to a service-connected condition.

Service connection is granted for hypertension due to herbicide agent exposure in Vietnam. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy may be related to his service-connected hypertension.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy disabilities, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service in Vietnam.

The Board has granted service connection for right upper extremity, left upper extremity, and left lower extremity neuropathies due to herbicide exposure. Service connection was also granted for hemochromatosis caused by a service-connected skin disorder.,A rating of 30 percent is assigned for bilateral flat feet since July 10, 2012.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a left elbow disability, ulnar neuropathy and osteoarthritis. The Board found that the evidence is in favor of awarding service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for unspecified depressive disorder; other specified trauma related disorder, diabetes mellitus, arteriosclerotic heart disease (coronary artery disease), and peripheral neuropathy upper extremities have been granted. The claim for hypertension has been dismissed as moot.,Service connection is established for diabetes mellitus due to herbicide agent exposure and arteriosclerotic heart disease (coronary artery disease) based on in-service exposure. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy upper extremities, lower extremities, and acne remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, as well as related neuropathy conditions. The examiner is to consider exposure to toxic exposures during service in Southwest Asia and any potential secondary effects from a service-connected psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's left lower extremity sciatic neuropathy is currently rated at 20 percent since July 12, 2011.,Since November 16, 2022, the Veteran's left lower extremity femoral nerve neuropathy is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's DMII is granted on a presumptive basis due to herbicide agent exposure. The claims for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities are granted as secondary to his service-connected DMII.