Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2023

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to July 10, 2023, for a 10 percent rating for left fourth toe peripheral neuropathy and also denied his request for a rating in excess of 10 percent on and before September 16, 2023. The Board found that the appropriate effective date was July 31, 2023.

The Board denied service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and prostate cancer as there was no evidence of herbicide exposure or in-service onset.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for diabetes mellitus, type II is remanded due to the lack of a VA examination assessing the current severity and any associated neuropathy.

The Board has dismissed the issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II with erectile dysfunction; right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy; left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy; right hip strain; and compensable ratings for hip limitations. The remaining issues have been REMANDED for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left and right hands have been dismissed due to a withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and a need for further examination. The Veteran's skin disorder is suspected to be related to exposure to sun and swampy conditions during service, while his peripheral neuropathy is suspected to be related to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and its related conditions of diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral feet, retinopathy, and cataracts due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand. The Veteran's claims are based on his credible reports of exposure near the perimeter of Takhli RTAFB.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, femoral radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, peripheral neuropathies, and diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction. The AOJ is instructed to contact the Veteran's representative for a current mailing address and obtain relevant private treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for retinal detachment has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. A separate 10 percent rating is granted for left knee instability beginning November 7, 2019. Service connection is denied for LUE, RLE, and LLE neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy and obstructive sleep apnea due to service-connected PTSD. The VA needs to provide a medical examination and opinion regarding whether these conditions are related to service, including an in-service injury during grenade training.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is dismissed as moot because he is already receiving a combined rating of 100% for his service-connected conditions, which renders the issue irrelevant.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed right hip, back, upper extremity neuropathy, and left shoulder disorders are not related to service. The conditions were first noted years after service and there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and bilateral diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the hands have been granted as presumptively related to in-service herbicide exposure. However, service connection is still required for these conditions due to their early-onset.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for disability compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for bilateral upper and lower extremity neuropathy, finding that there was no evidence to support the claim.

The Veteran's service connection for tinnitus is granted, but his claims for bilateral hearing loss and a rating in excess of 30 percent for right upper extremity ulnar neuropathy are remanded. The Veteran also has pending claims for left knee disability, right knee disability, migraine headaches, and neck disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied as there is no current disability meeting the VA criteria.,The claims for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity are remanded due to incomplete service records and potential inconsistencies in the Veteran's DD Form 214 and Service Personnel Records.,The claim for an acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as mood swings and/or depression) is remanded due to incomplete service records and potential inconsistencies in the Veteran's DD Form 214 and Service Personnel Records.,The claims for lower back disability and skin disability are remanded due to incomplete service records and potential inconsistencies in the Veteran's DD Form 214 and Service Personnel Records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for diabetes mellitus type II and associated neuropathies of all four extremities have been granted, but the effective dates are set at April 5, 2008. The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to adjudicate the claims for higher ratings for peripheral neuropathy.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for effective dates prior to August 18, 2020, for service connection of a lumbar spine disability and prior to March 21, 2022, for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The effective date for service connection was granted on August 18, 2020.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including peripheral neuropathy and a heart disorder, have been denied. The Board found no current disabilities in any of the claimed conditions.