Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2023

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, including service connection for diabetic cataracts, diabetic neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and TDIU. The decision is based on the need for further development regarding medical records, exposure history, and opinions about the cause and aggravation of diabetes.

The Veteran's pituitary adenoma and secondary hypothyroidism are related to his in-service herbicide exposure. The claims for diabetes mellitus, type II (DM) and neuropathy of the right and left hands due to herbicide exposure are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for scarring on the axilla, GERD, and peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity have been denied.,A rating in excess of 10% is not warranted for scarring on the axilla prior to March 27, 2019 or thereafter. The Veteran's GERD remains rated at 10%. A 20% rating is assigned for peripheral neuropathy of the RUE from April 19, 2016 onwards.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathy of the lower extremities, hypertension, and low testosterone due to exposure to toxins at Fort McClellan between July 1959 and December 1970.

The Board has denied service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, right knee, left knee, and left foot disabilities, as well as shin splints, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and headaches. The claims are based on a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to inadequate development in obtaining private treatment records from Dr. J.E.L., Dr. E, and other providers.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and a kidney condition due to further efforts being warranted to verify the Veteran's claimed exposure to herbicides used in Agent Orange during his active service.

Your service connection claim for left lower extremity neurological disorder, including peripheral neuropathy and left foot drop, is dismissed as moot because your disability has already been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the right knee with patellar spur is denied a rating greater than 10 percent. The claims for lumbosacral spine disability, cervical spine disability, left shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are all denied as not related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of various conditions, including left ankle condition, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left arm condition, episodes of visual loss (floaters), arteriosclerotic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type II, headaches, and nerve damage is granted. The AOJ should arrange for VA examinations to determine the nature and likely cause of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, heart disease, erectile dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to presumed exposure to herbicides during active duty in Thailand.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death, cerebrovascular disease (stroke), was related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and/or cancer malignancy. The appeal is granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of the claimed conditions, and the Board dismissed these issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for neuropathy, finding that there was no evidence of early onset or a nexus to service. The Veteran had presumed exposure to Agent Orange during his Vietnam service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a back disability, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower and upper extremities as secondary to a back disability. The Veteran's Social Security Administration records are requested, and VA treatment records from Harborview Medical Center since 1998 are also sought.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection of a back condition due to lack of jurisdiction.,PTSD was granted with a rating of 70 percent, effective March 7, 2018.

The Veteran's multifocal motor neuropathy is being remanded for a new medical opinion to consider the potential connection between his service and exposure to jet fuels, diesel fuel, kerosene, liquid oxygen, liquid nitrogen, and hydrazine.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence added to the record, and the RO should consider this additional evidence in its review.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on the issues of glaucoma, right shoulder disability, sciatic neuropathy in the left lower extremity (LLE), and diabetes mellitus are being remanded due to procedural deficiencies.