Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2023

The Veteran's knee and spine conditions are remanded for further examination. His respiratory, heart, diabetes, and peripheral neuropathy disabilities are also remanded due to the similar nature of the issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records and insufficient medical opinions. The Veteran died from COPD, which is not related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to newly submitted evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a sleep disorder, low back disability, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity due to incomplete compliance with prior remand directives. The Veteran's National Guard service dates need to be verified, and his service treatment records should be obtained. An opinion is needed regarding whether any current sleep disorder(s), including sleep apnea, are related to active duty or ACDUTRA. Additionally, an opinion is required on the nature of the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating as he was only managed by a restricted diet and had no other complications.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on A&A or TDIU due to his ability to work and maintain employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left lower extremity diabetic neuropathy and radiculopathy, finding that the current 10 percent ratings adequately compensated him for these disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for sensorimotor peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, as secondary to his service-connected left knee degenerative arthritis. Additional evidence was added after the May 2020 Supplemental Statement of the Case and a remand is necessary to ensure all relevant records are considered.

The Board has granted effective dates of March 22, 2013 for the grant of a 40 percent disability rating for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and lumbar degenerative disc disease.

The Veteran's upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathies are currently rated at 20 percent and 30 percent, respectively. Higher ratings are denied.,The Veteran's lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathies are currently rated at 80 percent each. Higher ratings are denied.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity due to a lack of an opinion regarding whether it is related to an in-service back injury. Additional development is needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of his upper and lower extremities due to in-service herbicide exposure. The case is sent back for VA examinations to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has found that there are outstanding records and the Veteran should be afforded VA examinations for his service connection claims. The appeals are being remanded to allow for further development.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU from May 10, 2006 to January 21, 2019 and special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) effective September 9, 2008 due to his service-connected psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus type II with associated peripheral neuropathy and PTSD, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. Effective November 3, 2022, the Veteran is granted a TDIU and SMC for his disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities was granted effective from July 20, 2022. The Board denied entitlement to an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to February 16, 2021.

The Veteran's left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathies of the sciatic nerve have been granted increased disability ratings, with a maximum rating of 40 percent for each leg.,The Veteran's bilateral femoral nerve peripheral neuropathy has also been granted an increased disability rating of 40 percent from November 16, 2018.