Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left upper extremity and bilateral lower extremity polyneuropathy, as these conditions are related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The case is being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's post-chemotherapy headaches are granted a 30% evaluation. The right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted a 40% evaluation prior to October 31, 2018 and a 30% evaluation thereafter. The left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted a 30% evaluation prior to October 31, 2018 and a 30% evaluation thereafter. Service connection for sleep apnea and traumatic brain injury are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to potential Agent Orange exposure, and a TERA-specific examination is required. The examiner must consider total potential exposure through all applicable military deployments and the synergistic, combined effect of all toxic risk activities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various neurological disorders, including meningioma tumor on the thoracic spine and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, are denied due to lack of a current disability or evidence that they developed as a result of his presumed in-service exposure to Agent Orange.,Service connection is not granted for any of the Veteran's neurological disorders because there is no evidence showing their development was related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and an eye disability (claimed as macular degeneration) due to herbicide exposure at Eglin Air Force Base. The Veteran's service records indicate he worked in areas where herbicides were used and tested during his time at the base.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including low back disorder, coronary artery disease, peripheral neuropathy of upper and lower extremities, and discoid lupus erythematosus. The claims are being returned to the AOJ for further development.,Specifically, the AOJ is instructed to verify whether the Veteran served at Anderson Air Force Base in Guam and if the USS Proteus was stationed there during his service period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities allowed him to qualify for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) beginning August 12, 2010. He also received special monthly compensation (SMC) pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s).

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, finding that the condition is related to the Veteran's service-connected back condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities were denied as there was no evidence showing an increase in disability within one year prior to September 23, 2013.,The claim for TDIU based on diabetes mellitus and complications was also denied due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities not precluding substantially gainful employment prior to September 23, 2013.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection for an orthopedic injury autoimmune reaction, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.,The issues of service connection for lumbar spine disability and piriformis syndrome with sciatica and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have been denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's request for withdrawal of the appeals.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are now rated at 20% each, effective October 7, 2019.,Service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and tremors is remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity was granted a 30 percent evaluation from January 12, 2012 to March 28, 2015. The right upper extremity received a 40 percent evaluation during this period. On or after March 28, 2015, the evaluations were denied.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy and sciatic nerve conditions have been granted increased ratings effective April 13, 2022. The right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is rated at 40 percent, the left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy at 30 percent, the right lower extremity sciatic peripheral neuropathy at 20 percent, and the left lower extremity sciatic peripheral neuropathy at 20 percent.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, along with other service-connected conditions, does not meet the criteria for a higher rating or TDIU as his disability is manageable by medication and restricted diet.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for chronic sinusitis has been denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the legs is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding exposure to herbicides or service connection on other grounds.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disability and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to their potential relationship with in-service herbicide exposure.

The Board found no current diagnosis of right or left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy and deemed the prior diagnoses invalid. The Veteran's symptoms were attributed to a cervical radiculopathy.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left second toe amputation, finding that it is proximately due to his service-connected diabetic neuropathy.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity sciatic nerve neuropathy associated with diabetes mellitus are each currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating under Diagnostic Code 8520. The Board has remanded these claims for further development.