Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2023

The Board granted the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1114 (s), effective September 1, 2010, based on his service-connected PTSD and other disabilities that combined to meet the criteria.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether VA healthcare providers failed to exercise the degree of skill and care ordinarily required, or if any additional disability was caused by an event not reasonably foreseeable.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and lack of verification regarding combat incidents in Germany. The Veteran is requested to provide information about his combat experiences during service.

The Veteran's claims for clothing allowances are being remanded due to the need for clarification on whether he uses knee braces and elbow braces for his service-connected peripheral neuropathy or nonservice-connected conditions. The VHA records from prior to 2018 must be obtained, and an opinion is needed regarding the use of knee braces for his service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for reversible airway disease and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity due to in-service herbicide and/or asbestos exposure. The VA must verify any potential in-service exposure to asbestos and obtain an opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for a chronic liver disorder, type II diabetes mellitus, residuals of a left foot toe amputation, erectile dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities. The remand requires additional development such as obtaining VA medical opinions and verifying the Veteran's Vietnam service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the nature and severity of his service-connected neuropathy of the lumbar nerve in the left lower extremity. The examiner will also provide opinions regarding whether the Veteran's lumbar disc disease was incurred in or related to service, and whether it is at least as likely as not that the hemilaminectomy and discectomy were performed for treatment of his service-connected neuropathy.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right upper extremities are being remanded due to inconsistencies in VA examination reports. A new VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, has been granted as secondary to diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right and left femoral nerves, right and left median nerves, right and left ulnar nerves, and diabetic retinopathy.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted effective November 4, 2016, due to the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining and maintaining a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, and bilateral upper and lower extremity neuropathy due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, amputation of the left leg, neuropathy of both hands and right leg, hypertension, vision problems, and tremors (claimed as seizures) secondary to diabetes mellitus type II due to inextricably intertwined issues. The Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents while serving at U.S. military bases in Okinawa, Japan is also being remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both feet, finding no evidence to support a link between his condition and military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims regarding gastroesophageal reflux disease, right arm ulnar sensory neuropathy, and right ankle sprain with instability and degenerative arthritis. The Veteran's claims are being remanded to allow for further evaluation.

The appeal of service connection for neuropathy has been dismissed. The issue of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and an opinion from an appropriate clinician regarding the nature and etiology of his back disabilities.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and prostate cancer residuals are granted as presumptively related to herbicide agent exposure under the PACT Act.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is granted as secondary to now-service connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, and anxiety), finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 50 percent disabling, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Diabetes mellitus type II is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, which meets the criteria for one or more daily injections of insulin and restricted diet.,Right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is currently rated as 30 percent disabling, meeting the criteria for moderate incomplete paralysis of a major extremity.,Left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, meeting the criteria for moderate incomplete paralysis of a minor extremity.,Right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, meeting the criteria for moderate incomplete paralysis.,Left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, meeting the criteria for moderate incomplete paralysis.,Erectile dysfunction is not compensably disabling.,Hypothyroidism is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Sebaceous cyst of the thoracic area is not compensably disabling.,Hiatal hernia (previously rated as a chronic digestive condition) is currently rated as 30 percent disabling.