Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for service-connected left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity sciatic neuropathy, and right lower extremity sciatic neuropathy have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for service-connected right lower extremity femoral neuropathy and left lower extremity femoral neuropathy have also been dismissed.,The Board has remanded the issues of higher ratings for service-connected left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity sciatic neuropathy, right lower extremity sciatic neuropathy, right lower extremity femoral neuropathy, and left lower extremity femoral neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions due to unclear etiology and need for further development, including potential exposure to hazardous chemicals while stationed at Fort McClellan, Alabama.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his left shoulder, upper extremity neuropathy, flail elbow, and limited motion in the arm were denied. The current disability ratings are insufficient to meet the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for dorsal cutaneous sensory neuropathy of the right foot is denied. The Board found that the evidence does not show complete paralysis of the nerve, which would be required for a higher rating.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, specifically the femoral nerve, is now rated at 40 percent effective February 16, 2023.

The Board has remanded the case to determine if a TDIU can be assigned on an extraschedular basis due to service-connected disabilities prior to August 5, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for his service-connected left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for quadriparesis due to idiopathic peripheral neuropathy in all four extremities. The issues are related to his service-connected sick sinus syndrome and superior vena cava syndrome, but there is conflicting medical evidence regarding the cause of the quadriparesis.

The Veteran's GERD was granted service connection. The claims for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and PVD were denied.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities (claimed as secondary to diabetes), and ischemic heart disease. The evidence did not support claims based on herbicide exposure or presumptive service connection.,Service connection was denied because there was no credible evidence showing in-service exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides, and the Veteran's conditions were not shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and he did not meet the eligibility requirements for nonservice-connected death pension benefits or DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

The Board has remanded several claims, including those for peripheral artery disease of the bilateral lower extremities, ischemic heart disease, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities (to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II), and a left ankle disability. The PACT Act is considered in these matters.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to insufficient evidence regarding their service connection. The VA must obtain all relevant medical records and provide a new opinion on whether the conditions are secondary to his service-connected shin splints.

The Board denied service connection for a bladder disability, finding that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of a bladder disability during or in close proximity to the appeal period.,The claim for service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability was previously denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service. The new evidence does not provide material information regarding this issue.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are all granted as service connected. The conditions are related to his active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the incorrect use of a modernized review system form. The AOJ must issue an SOC and allow for a timely substantive appeal if one is filed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities is being remanded for additional examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability. The claims of left foot fibroma, right foot fibroma (including postoperative residuals), right foot neuropathy secondary to removal of fibroma, right carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), and left CTS are remanded due to the need for further medical examination.

The Veteran's representative withdrew all pending disability compensation claims and appeals, including those related to various conditions such as posterior fossa tumor ependymoma, left wrist neuropathy, cholecystitis and cholelithiasis, depressive disorder (combined with neurocognitive disorder), light-headedness, dizziness and/or vertigo, headaches, ankle sprains, scars of the head, cognitive disorder, voiding dysfunction, erectile dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy. The appeal is dismissed as a result.