Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2023

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy were granted increased ratings of 30 percent each, effective March 12, 2015. The Veteran's right upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy was denied an increased rating, while the left upper extremity condition received a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance of another person throughout the period on appeal, warranting SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to inadequate opinions regarding service connection based on herbicide exposure. The Veteran's symptoms are not considered early onset, but an additional addendum opinion is needed to assess whether they are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for further development and evaluation. The issues include gastroesophageal reflux disease, syncope, diabetes mellitus type II, left upper extremity neuropathy, right upper extremity neuropathy, sleep apnea, lumbar disability, and a right foot disability (other than pes planus).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to conflicting medical evidence. A new VA examination is required to determine if the Veteran currently has a diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy and whether it is related to active duty service or his service-connected disabilities.

The claim for service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is dismissed. The claims for service connection for a left foot disability and bilateral tinea pedis are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to alleged herbicide agent exposure while serving on the U.S.S. Forrestal, and also for TDIU as these issues are intertwined with the service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The VA examinations are required to address the etiology of the Veteran's conditions, including whether they were caused by his active service, specifically his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ratings for various knee conditions and other musculoskeletal disorders. The Veteran is required to provide additional medical records from private providers that have been scanned into VISTA imaging system.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions. The issues include bilateral eye disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), speech disorder, right leg disorder, and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy and for obtaining updated treatment records. The claim will be reconsidered based on this new information.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and increased ratings for right and left upper extremity neuropathy due to the Veteran's death.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims of service connection for Guillain barre syndrome, bilateral lower neuropathy, and bilateral upper neuropathy due to untimely filing of a VA Form 9.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records that may be pertinent to his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and related neuropathies as well as hypertension and cardiac disability are all granted due to the presumption of herbicide exposure during active duty. The Board also found that these conditions were secondary to her primary service-connected condition - diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities is currently rated at 30 percent prior to July 12, 2021 and 20 percent thereafter. The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (sciatic nerve) is currently rated at 20 percent throughout the appeal period.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder remains in dispute and has been remanded for further examination.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence to support a claim based on in-service exposure or injury.

The Board found no evidence of the claimed disabilities during service or within one year post-service, and thus denied all claims for service connection.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to incomplete development. The AOJ will resend the VA Form 21-4192 to his last employer, Naval Air Station North Island, for employment information.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is remanded due to potential worsening, and his TDIU claim is also remanded as it may impact the evaluation for his service-connected disabilities.