Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and incomplete VA treatment records. The Veteran's RLE neurological disorder, including peripheral neuropathy and diabetic neuropathy, is being reviewed again with new evidence.

The Board denied service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremity, finding that there was no in-service disease or injury related to these conditions. The evidence did not support herbicide exposure claims.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, but remanded the cases of hypertension and peripheral neuropathy due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development and consideration, including determining if the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand prior to August 10, 2022.

The Veteran's left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary for the Veteran to undergo a VA examination to determine if he has Parkinson's disease and whether his diagnosed neurobehavioral effects are related to service, including exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The appeal will be reconsidered after this examination.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as presumptively associated with his presumed exposure to herbicide agents in the Vietnam War. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, ischemic heart disease, and bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence being added to the record and a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) not having been issued yet.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbar spine condition is denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable rating criteria. Additionally, the Veteran was granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right arm condition, neck condition, back condition, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and skin condition.

Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine and spinal stenosis is granted. The Veteran's left knee disorder, which resulted in a 60 percent rating from April 1, 2011, has been found to be causally related to his service-connected back disorder.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.,For PTSD, the Veteran's symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. He has been rated at 70 percent for this period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been referred to the RO. The SMC claim is remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with these pending claims.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, including symptoms in both the right leg and right foot. The decision is based on a finding that the current diagnosis is related to an injury sustained during service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of 20 percent and 10 percent for right lower extremity neuropathy (sciatic) and right knee strain, respectively, have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal in October 2020.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obesity is denied.,Service connection for a left knee disorder was granted with an effective date of November 6, 2017. The earlier effective date prior to November 6, 2017 is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran's request for a hearing at the RO was not addressed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his right arm and shoulder disabilities did not meet the criteria for higher evaluations under VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was granted a disability rating of 30 percent prior to November 14, 2021.

The Board denied service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, migraines, heart disease and high blood pressure, obstructive sleep apnea, diabetes, and peripheral neuropathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus.