Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2023

The Board denied service connection for diabetes, heart disease, cataracts secondary to diabetes, glaucoma secondary to diabetes, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities as not related to service or due to herbicide exposure.,Service connection was also denied for these conditions because there is no evidence of herbicide exposure during service.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and remanded the issues of right knee disorder, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran's claim for PTSD was not supported by evidence of a current diagnosis.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and peripheral neuropathy due to lack of evidence of in-service exposure or causation. The remaining claims (for ischemic heart disease, bilateral knee disabilities, and TBI residuals) are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's left knee condition is not service-connected as it was not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.,There is no evidence of a current diagnosis of bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy secondary to diabetes mellitus type two.

The Board has remanded the case due to a conflict in findings regarding the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and its impact on his ability to work.

The Board has granted service connection for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, as due to a shell fragment wound to the right buttock. The claim for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, finding that there is not an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence to support the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected left lower extremity neuropathy and urinary retention have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is required for SMC at the (l) rate.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is rated at a 60 percent rating since February 2, 2021. The left upper and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathies are each rated at 40 percent ratings. The bilateral lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy was initially rated at 20 percent prior to July 12, 2018, and 40 percent thereafter.,The Veteran's hypertension is not service-connected prior to August 10, 2022.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for her bilateral foot disabilities, including DJD of the first MTP joints, have been denied. Separate 10 percent ratings for left lower extremity neuropathy and right lower extremity neuropathy associated with her service-connected foot disabilities are granted as of January 12, 2023.

The Veteran's request for higher ratings for his right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy prior to December 7, 2020, and since that date was denied as there is no evidence supporting the need for a higher rating.

The appeal with respect to the issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is dismissed.,Entitlement to service connection for a lung disability is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for chronic open angle glaucoma and nuclear sclerotic cataracts is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability (claimed as skeletal arthritis) is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for a bilateral elbow disability (claimed as skeletal arthritis) is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for a bilateral wrist disability (claimed as skeletal arthritis) is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for a bilateral hip disability (claimed as skeletal arthritis) is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for a spine disability (claimed as skeletal arthritis) is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee disability (claimed as skeletal arthritis) is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for hypertension due to service or service-connected disease or injury is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for a heart disability due to service or service-connected disease or injury is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction due to service or service-connected disease or injury is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy due to service or service-connected disease or injury is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to service or service-connected disease or injury is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for RBD is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II is granted. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus, type II remains denied. The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for PTSD is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including kidney disability, heart disability, liver disability, hypertension, thyroid disability, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy, all related to exposure to herbicides. The Veteran's service in Vietnam was not confirmed, and there is no evidence of exposure to herbicides during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for migraine headaches, right arm disability (claimed as neuropathy), sleep disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder to include anxiety due to inadequate examination reports. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of peripheral neuropathy are being remanded due to the failure to report for VA examinations, and the AOJ needs to contact him at his current address.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for hypertension, a heart disability, bilateral foot peripheral neuropathy, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to potential in-service events that could significantly impact these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for intervertebral disc disease of the lumbar spine and entitlement to TDIU due to procedural errors.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to scheduling issues with a new examination. The appeals are inextricably intertwined with other disability rating and benefits determinations.