Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him so helpless as to require the regular aid and attendance of another person, resulting in a grant of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including cervical spine degenerative arthritis with spondylosis, left and right lower extremity neuropathy, erectile dysfunction (ED), right hip disability, bilateral onychomycosis, and migraine headaches have all been denied.

The Board has denied service connection for a kidney disorder and remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremity, and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetic neuropathy of the left lower extremity involving the femoral nerve was not productive of moderate incomplete paralysis prior to April 13, 2022. A 20 percent evaluation is granted for this condition from April 13, 2022, to January 18, 2023.,Since April 13, 2022, the Veteran's diabetic neuropathy of the left lower extremity involving the femoral nerve has been productive of moderate incomplete paralysis. A higher evaluation is denied on or after this date.

The Board has remanded the claims for Hodgkin's disease, cancer of the lymph nodes, varicose veins, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and vascular disability of the left leg due to insufficient development related to in-service exposure to chemical and biological weapons.

The Veteran's right upper extremity and left upper extremity disabilities were not found to be related to service.,Diabetic nephropathy was not shown to have been incurred in service or due to a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's claimed disabilities and his in-service exposure to carbon tetrachloride. The VA is instructed to obtain Social Security Administration records, schedule the Veteran for medical examinations, and provide a VA opinion on whether the Veteran's disabilities are related to his military service.

Effective dates of August 31, 2010, April 29, 2009, and April 29, 2009 have been granted for service connection for status post myocardial infarction with coronary artery disease and coronary artery disease status post angioplasty, diabetes mellitus, type II, left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (external popliteal nerve), and left and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy (radial nerve).

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service-connected due to the PACT Act presumption of exposure to herbicide agents. The claims for vestibular disorder, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of service connection for peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, heart disorder, gastrointestinal disorder (GERD), and erectile dysfunction. The case will be remanded to allow for further examination and opinion.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for right lower extremity and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as the appellant died during the appeal process.

The Board has dismissed the issues of service connection for right lower extremity and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as these conditions have already been granted in a previous rating decision.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete information and need for additional development, including obtaining full informed consent forms and treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected right little finger disability and associated ulnar neuropathy did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to April 11, 2020.

The Board has determined that the AOJ did not substantially comply with its February 2019 remand directives, specifically regarding verification of the Veteran's claimed exposure to herbicide agents and extreme cold in Korea. The AOJ is also directed to obtain private medical records from Dr. Miller, Providence Health Systems, and Olympia Internal Medicine Associates, as well as any pertinent VA treatment records. Additionally, an opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral peripheral neuropathy must be obtained.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted under the PACT Act. The initial disability rating for ischemic optical neuropathy and cataract remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding the cumulative effect of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy was rated at 20 percent prior to January 19, 2018 and at 40 percent thereafter. The Veteran's right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was rated at 10 percent prior to January 19, 2018 and at 20 percent thereafter.,The Veteran's left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is currently rated as 40 percent disabling, while his right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is currently rated as 20 percent disabling.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left wrist disability and as secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disability, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service or any other condition.