Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder, chronic pain syndrome, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease of the bilateral lower extremities, and heart disease (including coronary artery disease) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service and this exposure is presumed to cause the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted, but the issue of a rating in excess of 20 percent for his low back disability remains pending and requires further development.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were granted with effective dates of December 6, 2017.

The Board has remanded several claims for increased ratings, including those for diabetes mellitus type II with hypertension and erectile dysfunction, PTSD, diabetic neuropathy of the left upper and lower extremities, and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also pending.

The Board denied service connection for atherosclerotic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertension as secondary to atherosclerotic heart disease, shortness of breath as secondary to diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities. The denial is based on lack of evidence of herbicide exposure in Korea.

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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of bilateral lower extremities.

The Board dismissed the appeals for right and left lower extremity neuropathy, right hand condition, and left hand condition. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, respiratory disability, right wrist condition, and left wrist condition were granted service connection. The appeal for erectile dysfunction is being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work history.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetic neuropathy, diabetes mellitus type II, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, hearing loss, tinnitus, and sciatic nerve radiculopathy, preclude him from obtaining or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted his TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the cases due to a duty to assist error, requiring a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is related to service, including exposure to herbicides like Agent Orange.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to increased evaluations for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy prior to December 17, 2019 due to inadequate examination reports.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to July 3, 2019 was denied. The effective date of the TDIU award is set at July 3, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is granted. The Board finds the criteria for service connection met due to exposure to Agent Orange particulates accumulated and concentrated in the C-130 aircraft filtration system. Service connection for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral pes planus, bilateral hearing loss, and peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities.,The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain a current examination for cervical radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip disabilities, right and left foot disabilities, and rheumatoid arthritis due to potential issues with the medical opinions provided. The claims are being returned for additional evaluations.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for diabetes mellitus type II, left and right femoral nerve peripheral neuropathy, and right sciatic nerve peripheral neuropathy are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU is also being remanded as it is intertwined with the issues of increased rating.

The Board has determined that there are insufficient records to make a determination on the service connection claims for various disabilities. The Veteran's exposure history and prior service need further clarification, as well as additional medical opinions regarding peripheral artery disease and neuropathy.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease, prostate cancer in remission status post radical prostatectomy, diabetes mellitus type II, left lower extremity femoral nerve diabetic neuropathy, left lower extremity sciatic nerve diabetic neuropathy, right lower extremity femoral nerve diabetic neuropathy, and right lower extremity sciatic nerve diabetic neuropathy has been granted with effective dates of July 15, 2019, February 6, 2019, and March 29, 2019 respectively. These conditions are presumed to be related to herbicide exposure at U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Force Base (RTAFB) in Thailand during the Vietnam era.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer was initially denied in June 2002 and became final. The Veteran filed a new Intent to File on February 6, 2019, which led to his claims being reopened and granted with an effective date of February 6, 2019.