Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2023

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, hypothyroidism, hypertension, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other causative factors.

The Veteran's effective date for a 40 percent disability rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) is set to January 7, 2016. The effective date for left lower extremity neuropathy was also set to this date.,An earlier effective date for left lower extremity radiculopathy is not granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for neuropathy, finding no current disability and insufficient evidence of a functional impairment.

The Veteran's appeal for increased SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(p) and higher rate of SMC based on the need for a higher level of aid and attendance under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(r)(2) is denied due to lack of eligibility for compensation at the maximum rate or intermediate rate authorized.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left ulnar mononeuropathy at/near elbow disability, finding that it had its onset during her period of active duty service.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted to warrant readjudication of the Veteran's claims for service connection for Parkinson's disease, peripheral neuropathy of the legs, loss of bladder control, and dizziness. The case is REMANDED for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and hypertension have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus to service. The Veteran was not shown to have served in Vietnam or be exposed to herbicide agents during his service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for early-onset peripheral neuropathy of any extremity and IHD. The denial was based on a lack of current disability, as no evidence showed the Veteran had these conditions by October 1969.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for cervical stenosis and neuropathy of the right arm, but remanded for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to May 22, 2014 is denied. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence addressing aggravation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral lower extremity neuropathy due to exposure to herbicide agents because the October 2020 VA examination is inadequate and does not consider all relevant evidence. The case must be returned for an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is being remanded for further examination to determine if it is proximately due to or the result of her service-connected hypothyroidism.

The Veteran's anxiety condition is granted as it is proximately due to his service-connected bladder cancer.,The Veteran's BUE neuropathy and right knee arthritis are both granted as they are related to in-service exposure or injury.

The Veteran's GERD is granted a 30 percent evaluation, effective December 22, 2021.,Right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy remains at a 10 percent rating. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating is denied.,An earlier effective date of December 22, 2021, for the grant of service connection for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is in need of personal care services for a minimum of six continuous months due to his service-connected upper extremity peripheral neuropathy and vascular dementia. The PCAFC eligibility determination was remanded as it did not consider the evidence regarding the Veteran's need for personal care services, which includes regular meal preparation and medication management. The Board also ordered a new opinion on whether participation in the PCAFC program is in the Veteran's best interest.

The Veteran's left upper extremity neuropathy was initially rated at 30% prior to October 25, 2019, and then increased to 60% thereafter. The right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy received a 70% rating for the entire initial period on appeal.,The Veteran's lower extremities (sciatic and femoral) were also rated at various levels of disability throughout the appeals process.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for the claims of a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative thoracolumbar spine, a 10 percent for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, a 10 percent for right shoulder anterior cruciate degenerative joint disease, and a 10 percent for a sinus condition. The appeal is also dismissed for service connection claims including bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, right hip arthralgia, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity and left lower extremity, obstructive sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as adjustment disorder and PTSD).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities due to incomplete records of his reserve service.

The Veteran's left ulnar entrapment neuropathy at the elbow has been rated as a 30 percent disability since September 15, 2020.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities has not resulted in loss of use, foot drop, or other severe impairment that would warrant a higher rating.,The evidence does not support an increase to a higher rating for the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.