Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2023

The Veteran's HIV and related lower and upper extremity neuropathies are remanded for further development, including obtaining private treatment records and a VA examination to determine the relationship between these conditions and his service-connected right orchiectomy due to cancer.

The Board granted service connection for diverticulitis and remanded the issues of service connection for PN LUE and PN RLE, as well as service connection for right and left knee disabilities. The Veteran's diverticulitis was found to have been incurred in the line of duty during his Army Reserve active duty for training (ACDUTRA) from June 1, 2014, to June 17, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his left arm neuropathy was denied prior to May 17, 2018. From May 17, 2018, the Veteran received a grant of a 60 percent disability rating for his condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for low back disability, left and right lower extremity neurological disabilities, tremors affecting hands, and erectile dysfunction due to in-service exposure during Hurricane Beulah cleanup efforts. Additional medical opinions are needed regarding service connection and potential toxic exposures.

The Board has remanded the claims for a lower back condition with stenosis, right knee disability, left knee disability, right lower extremity neuropathy, left lower extremity neuropathy, right foot disability, and left foot disability due to inadequate VA examinations.,The appellant contends his disabilities are related to his military occupation specialty (MOS) and his duties in-service. The Board finds a pre-decisional duty to assist error as the July 2019 VA examinations for these issues are inadequate.

The Veteran's varicose veins and peripheral neuropathy of the left leg were denied increased ratings as they did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under VA rating criteria.

The Board has dismissed the appeals of entitlement to SMC based on loss of use of right hand and service connection for bilateral upper extremity neuropathy as the Veteran, through his representative, withdrew these claims.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a rating of 50 percent, but no higher. The initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied. Service connection is granted for right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to exposure to herbicides and/or disabilities. Service connection is also granted for GERD, migraine headaches, TBI, neck disability, and low back disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not rendered him unable to care for his daily personal needs without assistance from others, or unable to protect himself from the hazards and dangers of daily living on a regular basis. Therefore, entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for chloracne, colon cancer, Parkinson's disease, Hodgkin's lymphoma, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy (secondary to Hodgkin's lymphoma), right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy (secondary to Hodgkin's lymphoma), left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (secondary to Hodgkin's lymphoma treatment), and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (secondary to Hodgkin's lymphoma treatment).,The Board has also remanded the claim for rhabdomyolysis and AML.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy and CAD have been granted effective August 10, 2022. The PACT Act presumption of herbicide exposure applies to the peripheral neuropathy claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or exposure to herbicide agents. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for a dental disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to issues related to non-weightbearing range of motion, functional limitation, and medication effects on the lumbar spine. The right and left foot neuropathy ratings and effective dates need to be addressed. An opinion is needed regarding whether the Veteran's left ankle disorder is related to active duty service or a 1968 sprain.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional opinions regarding service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity and left lower extremity. The Veteran's current disabilities are being evaluated based on their relationship to his active duty service.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service connected due to herbicide exposure. The issues of glaucoma, peripheral neuropathy in upper and lower extremities are remanded for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, arthritis of the left and right upper extremities, and gastrointestinal disorder (irritable bowel syndrome).

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted effective March 24, 2016. The conditions leading to the grant of TDIU were already service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder, diabetes, and peripheral neuropathy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus and service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence supporting earlier effective dates or a link to active service.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings on his service-connected peripheral neuropathy, bilateral hearing loss, knee disabilities, and varicose veins is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity due to the need for additional VA examinations and treatment records.