Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2023

The Board denied the appellant's request for an effective date prior to July 27, 2022 for the grant of service connection for left and right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy. The claim was based on a final denial of his increased rating for service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral lower and upper extremity neuropathy due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents. A medical opinion is needed regarding whether these conditions are related to his military service, specifically his in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and associated diabetic polyneuropathies have been granted effective from May 12, 2014.,An initial rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including type II diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy, all potentially related to herbicide exposure during his time at Fort Gordon, Georgia. The AOJ is instructed to verify the Veteran's alleged exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's diabetes, bilateral lower extremity diabetic neuropathy, and kidney disorder are related to his service in Southwest Asia. The claims must be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's initial rating for diabetes mellitus type 2 was denied, but an effective date of July 21, 2015, and special monthly compensation were granted. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction and left/right sciatic peripheral neuropathy were not rated higher than the assigned levels.

The Board has restored service connection for residual neuropathy of both buttocks and lower extremities, as related to surgery for pilonidal cystectomies. The claim for entitlement to service connection for a low back condition is reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's initial claim for higher ratings and earlier effective date for sleep apnea was denied. The Board also found that the Veteran is not entitled to a TDIU prior to November 4, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal for prostate cancer has been withdrawn. His TDIU claim is granted, and the Board finds that his service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The claims for headaches, hemorrhoids, peripheral neuropathy, skin disorder (other than alopecia areata), and back disability are all remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities, as well as for peripheral arterial occlusion of the lower extremities. The Veteran's current diagnoses are being evaluated to determine if they are related to his military service.,The Board has also remanded the claim for diabetes mellitus, as well as the claims for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities. These claims will be reviewed to determine if there is a nexus between the Veteran's current diagnoses and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral lower and upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, residuals of a gallbladder disability, back disability, and diabetic retinopathy due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The claims for secondary service connection have also been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation during the period from December 1, 2015 to July 26, 2018. Therefore, entitlement to TDIU for this period is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a pre-decisional error in obtaining a relevant Army report. The Veteran's cause of death is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of all four extremities due to a lack of adequate medical opinion regarding his presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service.

New and relevant evidence has been received, readjudicating the previously denied claims for service connection for right and left shoulder arthritis and right and left knee replacements.,New and relevant evidence has been received, readjudicating the previously denied claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 21, 2021 for the grant of service connection for chronic ulnar mononeuropathy with carpal tunnel syndrome was denied.,The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for TDIU prior to January 21, 2021 was also denied.

Service connection is granted for prostate cancer and hypertension associated with herbicide agent exposure under the PACT Act.,The Veteran's service in Korea from June 1968 to January 1969 was presumed due to his exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus type II, left and right lower and upper extremity diabetic neuropathy, and bilateral cataracts are all granted. The claim for service connection for tension headaches is remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy in his upper and lower extremities, finding no evidence of a current disability or a causal link to service.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right upper extremity neuropathy, finding that the conditions are related to herbicide agent exposure in Vietnam.