Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2023

The Board has found that there was not substantial compliance with its remand directives and therefore the claims for service connection are being remanded. The claims will be reconsidered after a thorough search of the Veteran's tour of duty in South Korea, covering the entire period from September 1969 to October 1970.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between the conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, erectile dysfunction, and obstructive sleep apnea on a secondary basis to the Veteran's service-connected left ankle and left knee disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, both of which are found to be related to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for further evidence and a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's left upper extremity neuropathy.

The Board has granted service connection for right upper, left upper, right lower, and left lower extremity neuropathy due to the Veteran's active duty service. The decision is based on continuity of symptoms from service until now.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to April 22, 2017 due to a lack of evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy and retinopathy/maculopathy/macular cyst due to in-service herbicide exposure. The VA examinations did not provide adequate opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions, particularly given the Veteran's presumed exposure to herbicides.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss and separate compensable ratings for left and right upper extremity neuropathy as the Veteran requested withdrawal of his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's low back disorder, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (claimed as secondary to a low back disorder), erectile dysfunction, and pelvic saddle disorder are being remanded for further evaluation due to concerns about the adequacy of VA care during emergency room visits in March 2016.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, as well as his claim for TDIU due to unresolved medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions. The issues are related to in-service injuries or events.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, diabetes, neuropathy of the extremities, headaches, and a knee disorder as there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims of exposure to Vietnam or combat stressors.,There was also insufficient medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified, was rated at 30 percent and did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran had multiple service-connected disabilities that resulted in an overall combined rating of 80 percent. However, he was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension prior to August 10, 2022, and right lower extremity neuropathy were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of direct or secondary service connection.

The Board granted the Veteran's claims for TDIU and Dependents' Educational Assistance with effective dates of October 22, 2010. The decision was based on the Veteran's marginal employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's ED, including whether his penile neuropathy is considered an internal penile 'deformity'. The appeal is not about service connection but rather about rating and compensation.

The Board dismissed the appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected left lower extremity median nerve diabetic neuropathy. The Veteran's femoral nerve neuropathy was denied prior to May 4, 2021, and denied on and after that date.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and hypertension as due to exposure to herbicide agents during active service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for left lower extremity superficial peroneal neuropathy has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for post-operative peritonsillar abscess has been denied.

The Board denied the Appellant's claims for increased disability ratings above, and remanded several issues due to insufficient evidence.