Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2023

The Board denied service connection for laceration on top of head and migraine headaches, but granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy affecting the Veteran's bilateral upper and lower extremities. The decision is based on presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted service connection under the PACT Act, and his claims for peripheral neuropathy are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for multiple sclerosis, peripheral neuropathy, motor problems, tremors, and poor memory due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The case is returned to the Board for further review.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) was dismissed as the Veteran requested withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's bilateral hip disorder is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected back disability.,Compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for the Veteran's bilateral eye blindness due to antihypertensive medication use was denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The appellant's exposure to herbicide agents is not established, so a medical opinion on early-onset presumptive service connection is needed.

The Board has determined that an effective date prior to May 11, 2016 for service connection of peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is denied.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU on an extraschedular basis due to PTSD is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for neurological disability of the right upper extremity and right wrist disability due to inadequate medical opinions.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the service connection issues.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities as secondary to a service-connected thoracolumbar disc disease with muscle spasms disability, and an initial compensable rating for right knee scar due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding it related to the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left lower extremity disorder, including a left leg condition and a left ankle condition due to new evidence and additional development needed.

The Board has remanded the cases for issuance of a Statement of the Case addressing whether increased ratings are warranted for the Veteran's left and right lower extremity sciatic nerve peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for further examination regarding the Veteran's claimed neurological condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral knee replacements and lower extremity neuropathies, have resulted in the loss of use of both lower extremities. This has been determined to preclude locomotion without regular and constant use of assistive devices such as braces, a cane, and a walker. As a result, eligibility for specially adapted housing is granted. However, this legally precludes a separate special home adaptation grant.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including hypertension, bilateral eye disability, headaches, psychiatric disorder, erectile dysfunction, low back disability, knee and hip disabilities, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and hearing loss, have been denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of his lower extremities, finding that he did not have such a condition and that his symptoms were not severe enough to meet the criteria.

The Veteran's hypertension, left upper and right upper extremity neuropathy, left knee disability, and right knee disability are granted. The Veteran's DM is remanded for increased rating consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to failure of VA examinations, and instructed that he be contacted regarding his intention to attend these needed examinations.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate examination regarding the Veteran's lower extremity neuropathy. The issues of right and left lower extremity neuropathy are being reviewed again as part of this process.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and a left shoulder disability due to herbicide agent exposure. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing service in Vietnam or herbicide exposure.