Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for clarification on whether the Veteran's need for A&A is related to his service-connected disabilities, other than blindness.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disorder and a neurologic disorder of the bilateral lower extremities, to include peripheral neuropathy and radiculopathy. The back disorder is related to an in-service helicopter crash, while the neurologic disorder is secondary to the now service-connected back disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities, as well as his right and left lower extremities, were reduced from various percentages to 10% effective March 1, 2022.

The Board has found the record inadequate to properly rate the severity of the Veteran's disabilities, particularly diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy. The Board is remanding these matters for further evaluation by VA examiners.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for rating and effective date issues related to peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities. The Board dismissed these appeals due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy disabilities are granted, with a rating of 20 percent for each leg. The appeal is remanded to determine if the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of all four extremities due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The appeal is referred to the AOJ and VA for further development, including obtaining medical records from Dr. C.V. and any other relevant sources.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete information and further development is needed, particularly regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities require care or assistance on a regular basis to protect him from hazards or dangers incident to his daily environment.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to August 5, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, Sjögren's Syndrome, and various neurological and gastrointestinal conditions related to Gulf War exposure have been reopened. Service connection is granted for chronic fatigue syndrome.

The Board has granted service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the bilateral upper extremities due to exposure to jet fuel, but denied service connection for neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy, a skin disability, and sleep apnea as secondary to CAD or peripheral neuropathy are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The leg stents claim is inextricably intertwined with the service connection claims.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's diabetes and its complications, as well as his hypertension and hypothyroidism. The claims for service connection are being addressed due to new evidence received since the last denial.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities are granted increased evaluations to 40 percent and 20 percent, respectively, for the entire appeal period.

The Board is remanding the Veteran's claims for service connection for neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, including as secondary to hypertension and due to herbicide exposure. The AOJ needs to confirm if the Veteran served in Vietnam during his March 31, 1968 MACV mission.

The Board has remanded the claims for left and right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy due to unclear diagnosis, and for left and right upper extremity diabetic neuropathy due to inadequate opinion. The Veteran's nerve disabilities are related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's type 2 diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease (IHD), bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and erectile dysfunction were not shown to be related to his service or a service-connected disability.,Service connection for these conditions was denied as there is no evidence of their onset during service or within one year following separation from service.

The Board has remanded the claims for entitlement to increased ratings for left hip disability, right hip disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to procedural issues.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left and right upper extremities is granted as secondary to service-connected hypertension. The musculoskeletal disorder claim is remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of back disorder and left lower extremity neuropathy due to insufficient examination reports. The Veteran's conditions are being reviewed again with new evidence.