Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2023

The Board has found the VA examinations and medical opinions for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy inadequate, necessitating further development. The claims are remanded to determine if the Veteran has a current diagnosis of diabetes or had one during the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from obtaining and maintaining a substantially gainful occupation throughout the current appeal period, starting on September 29, 2017.

The Veteran's right lower extremity diabetic sciatic neuropathy is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has remanded to determine if a higher rating is warranted.,An effective date prior to July 30, 2018, for special monthly compensation based on housebound criteria remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions on whether the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus aggravated his left foot neuropathy. The case is being returned for an addendum opinion addressing this issue.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause him to require the aid and attendance of another person, which grants special monthly compensation for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, obstructive sleep apnea, allergic rhinitis/sinusitis (claimed as allergies and allergy/sinusitis), and tinnitus are being remanded due to new evidence received since previous decisions.,The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received sufficient to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to incomplete employment and income information provided by the Veteran. The Board requests clarification on his employment history and earnings since June 30, 2010.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with the previous remand directives regarding the service connection claims for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy of the bilateral lower and upper extremities. The Veteran is being asked to undergo another VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The other claims, including those related to left and right lower extremity neuropathy, are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to address whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, diabetic neuropathy, or obesity caused his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetic neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities have been remanded due to insufficient detail in the VA examination reports. The Board will reassess these claims based on the current evidence.

The Board denied service connection for a throat disorder and an initial disability rating higher than 10 percent for hypertension. The Veteran's prostate disorder, diabetic nephropathy with hypertension, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were remanded.,The Veteran was granted service connection for his prostate disorder but denied an increased disability rating for hypertension. His diabetes mellitus with diabetic retinopathy and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were also remanded.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, finding that it did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy and ruptured neutrophilic folliculitis require further examination to determine their current severity, and service connection for the folliculitis is remanded due to a lack of an opinion on its etiology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for neuropathy of his right and left lower and upper extremities, finding no current disability related to active service.

The Board has granted service connection for depression as a secondary condition to bilateral lower extremity small fiber peripheral neuropathy. The issues of increased ratings for the small fiber peripheral neuropathy and entitlement to TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's neuropathy of the lower left extremity is secondary to his service-connected left ankle disability.,His right and left knee disabilities are also considered secondary to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for earlier effective dates and increased ratings as the Veteran timely opted into the modernized appeals process under the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA). The claims of service connection for PTSD, low back disability, TBI, and peripheral neuropathy have been granted in full.

The Board has dismissed all appeals regarding ratings for various types of peripheral neuropathy as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine DDD, right lower extremity neuropathy and radiculopathy, and right hip DJD are all granted with specific disability ratings. The TDIU is also granted from March 20, 2016 to October 4, 2016.