Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2023

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for left upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, as secondary to herbicide exposure. The VA will need to provide a new opinion on whether these conditions are related to his service-connected aneurysm.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is granted as service connected due to herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities is granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.,The Veteran's vision problem (also claimed as eye pressure) is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied.,Effective dates prior to October 2, 2015, are being remanded for the grants of service connection for peripheral neuropathy and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in both upper extremities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, type II diabetes, and bilateral lower extremity diabetic neuropathy are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his active service in Thailand.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer) due to potential herbicide agent exposure during service in Korea. The peripheral neuropathy claims are also remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the diabetes claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for shrapnel, left foot, and neuropathy, left foot have been denied. The Veteran currently has a staged rating of 10 percent prior to February 10, 2020, and 30 percent thereafter for his shrapnel, left foot disability.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection for left upper, right upper, left lower, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as these conditions are now considered secondary to service-connected type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is rated at 20 percent, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has reopened the claims for PTSD, hypertension, erectile dysfunction under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 and service connection for other stressor-related disorders, obstructive sleep apnea, right foot disorder, left foot disorder, left hip arthritis, left shoulder arthritis, thyroid disorder, bilateral upper extremity neuropathy, and gynecomastia. The claims are currently pending further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral sciatic and femoral nerve neuropathies are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral lower leg condition, finding no evidence of a congenital spinal defect and insufficient medical evidence linking his current conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to inadequate medical opinions regarding secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's upper extremity symptoms, including numbness and tingling. An additional VA examination is needed to determine if these symptoms are related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran is eligible for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing due to his service-connected disabilities, and the appeal concerning a special home adaptation grant is dismissed as moot.

Service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, presumed due to herbicide exposure is granted. The issues of peripheral neuropathy are remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for diabetes mellitus, Type II, neuropathy of the feet, and right knee arthritis. The rating for left elbow strain with bursitis is also being remanded.

The Veteran's right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is rated at 20 percent, and his anxiety and depressive disorders are rated at 70 percent. The Board has granted a TDIU effective August 29, 2012.

The Board has ordered remand for the Veteran to undergo VA examinations and provide an opinion regarding his claims of small fiber neuropathy and a back disorder, as these conditions are secondary to his service-connected chronic multi-symptom and multi-system undiagnosed illness characterized by diffuse muscle pain and fatigue.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy did not render him in need of regular aid and attendance prior to his death, as he was able to bathe, cook, and attend VA appointments with the use of an electric scooter.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and right upper extremity neuropathy due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.