Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain and/or maintain substantially gainful employment, qualifying for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to accrued benefits. He was also found not in need of aid and attendance or housebound status for SMC purposes.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's increased rating claim for a right ankle fracture due to the need for additional examination and clarification of all manifestations related to his service-connected disability.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, and no final decision was made on any of the service connection claims.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding it at least as likely as not that the condition was incurred in or caused by service exposure to lead-based paint.

The Board denied service connection for an upper extremity disability and a bilateral eye disability with headaches, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease that could be related to the current conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and thus grants his claim for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his respiratory and cardiac disabilities, which may be related to exposure to herbicide agents. The issues of service connection for bilateral upper and lower neuropathy, a vestibular disorder, erectile dysfunction, constipation, and dry mouth are also inextricably intertwined with these claims.

The Board has granted an effective date of September 5, 2014 for the grant of service connection for left and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy. The issues of entitlement to TDIU and SMC have been remanded.

The Veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy, to include ulnar nerve neuropathy, was granted an increased rating of 20 percent as of July 20, 2018.,A rating in excess of 40 percent for the same condition is denied as of September 7, 2022.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further clarification and evidence review regarding service connection claims for urinary disability and neurological conditions of the bilateral upper and lower extremities.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, neurological disorders of the bilateral upper and lower extremities (peripheral neuropathy), finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to service or in-service exposure. The Board also found that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathies are not related to Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's initial ratings for right and left lower extremity femoral nerve neuropathy associated with Parkinson's disease have been denied.,The Veteran's initial ratings for Parkinson's disease with bradykinesia or slowed motion, balance impairment, muscle rigidity, stiffness, and tremors of the right and left lower extremities remain pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence. Specifically, VA treatment records and private treatment records from Ministry Medical Group must be obtained, as well as new examinations for his anxiety disorder, hearing loss, and neuropathy.

The Veteran's right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is caused by his service-connected lumbar strain.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, was incurred in, or caused by, his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and authorization to obtain SSA records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding his diabetes mellitus, type II and peripheral neuropathy claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance due to insufficient evidence showing that he requires regular aid and assistance from another person.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ulnar nerve neuropathy (claimed as nerve damage to left hand) is granted with an effective date of March 1, 1999.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted effective August 10, 2022, pursuant to The PACT Act of 2022. Other issues remain unresolved and are remanded.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities due to a new theory of entitlement raised by the Veteran's representative. The case is being returned for an additional VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current peripheral neuropathy.