Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that updated medical records and new VA examinations are needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's service-connected lumbar radiculopathy/neuropathy of the left lower extremity, right lower extremity, and degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability was granted, and the claims for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity and left lower extremity were also granted. The claim for service connection for a disability of the left Achilles tendon is pending.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for left and right foot frostbite residuals with neuropathy were dismissed because the issues had already been decided in the Legacy appeal system, which is where they were originally filed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, bilateral hip pain, OSA, and a neck condition. The claim for PTSD is remanded due to insufficient information provided by the Veteran regarding his claimed stressor.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his combined disability rating was not sufficient to meet the criteria for a TDIU based on the severity of his service-connected conditions alone.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to April 7, 2020 for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2 and related peripheral neuropathies. The effective date was set at April 7, 2020.

The Board has vacated the January 19, 2023 decision and remanded several issues related to effective dates for service connection of diabetes and diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of TDIU, finding that the Veteran did not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU prior to December 11, 2015.

The Veteran's left and right lower extremity neuropathy disabilities had their onset in service or are etiologically related to his active service, leading to the grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted the claims for service connection for diabetes, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy based on new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his active naval service.

The Board has found the prior remand directives not substantially complied with and has ordered a new examination to address whether the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is caused or aggravated by his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding service connection and rating issues. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy, but the claims for heart disorder, prostate disorder, peripheral neuropathy of upper and lower extremities, and diabetes mellitus are all remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction as secondary to prostate cancer, hypertension, arthritis, heart condition, fatigue (including CFS), and a condition of the bilateral upper extremities (peripheral neuropathy) are granted. The conditions are presumed due to exposure to burn pits during service in Egypt.

Service connection is granted for lumbar spine degenerative disease, hypertension (based on a claim filed in June 2018), left lower extremity neuropathy as secondary to diabetes, and right lower extremity neuropathy as secondary to diabetes.,Service connection is remanded for left hip impairment and right hip impairment due to service-connected musculoskeletal disorders.

The Veteran's service connection claims for dental treatment, chronic dental condition, residuals from traumatic brain injury (TBI), and upper extremity neuropathies were denied. The Veteran was granted service connection for dental treatment due to in-service trauma.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for his claimed left arm condition and left hand disability, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral lower extremity disability, including peripheral neuropathy and/or residuals of trench feet, is being reviewed again.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board denied a compensable rating.,The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder did not meet the criteria for an effective period under 38 C.F.R. § 4.29 prior to July 13, 2018, or subsequent to August 31, 2018.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left eye optic neuropathy, bilateral presbyopia, and bilateral cataracts. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to active service or any service-connected disability.