Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings for burn scars and service connection for non-allergic vasomotor rhinitis and a left hand condition, to include arthritis and ulnar neuropathy. The Board has found that remand is necessary due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.,The Veteran's claims are currently pending as the VA examinations did not provide sufficient information on whether his current conditions are related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including scheduling an updated psychiatric examination for PTSD and assessing the Veteran's ability to care for daily needs due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, as these conditions are presumed to be related to herbicide agent exposure in Vietnam. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these disabilities based on his reported symptoms during active service.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was not incurred in service and is not otherwise etiologically related to active duty service, to include as due to herbicide agent exposure.

The Board denied service connection for polyneuropathy of both left and right lower extremities, finding no evidence that the condition began during active service or is related to a service-connected disability.,A separate rating of 40 percent was granted for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity with right foot drop.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for right intercostal neuropathy and TDIU prior to July 27, 2022 are remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to September 13, 2018.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy and peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities are remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to determine their relationship to his service-connected conditions or presumed exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work history.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions rendered him so incapable of performing the activities of daily living that he required care or assistance on a regular basis, and his spouse provided this aid and attendance. The Board granted special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been granted.,Service connection was denied for bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to diabetes. The issue of carpal tunnel syndrome is being remanded.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The decision also noted that the Veteran's TDIU claim was granted, SMC at the 's' rate was granted as of May 2, 2017, and the Veteran's hypertension claim was remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete examination and needs further investigation regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right lower extremity nerve condition.

The Board has decided to remand three issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including a claim for bilateral ulnar neuropathy. The decision also requires obtaining additional medical records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the diagnosed condition.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for residuals of left arm surgery, including nerve damage and limitation of range of motion due to lack of fault on the part of VA personnel.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus and its associated diabetic peripheral neuropathy, finding no evidence of herbicide exposure in Korea or a direct relationship to service.

The Veteran's claim for peripheral neuropathy was denied. The back disability is rated at 40 percent since May 9, 2001. Separate ratings of 20 percent are granted for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy affecting the sciatic and femoral nerves respectively. Service connection is established for Haglund's deformities of both heels.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion to address whether the Veteran's post-operative care at VA resulted in additional disability, including ulnar neuropathy of the right upper extremity.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection and he receives a 60% disability rating for bilateral lower extremity neuropathy. The TDIU claim is also granted.