Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2023

The Board denied service connection for left and right upper extremity neuropathy, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development to determine if his service-connected disabilities meet the criteria for specially adapted housing benefits due to anatomical loss or use of a lower extremity.

The Board has remanded several issues including increased ratings for various service-connected conditions and a TDIU claim due to the submission of additional evidence after an SSOC was issued.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, which is the maximum rating available. The appeal for an increased rating is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for further development regarding his exposure to herbicide agents while stationed on C-123 aircraft in Korea and Japan.

The appeal of the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, increased ratings for bilateral knee disabilities, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities have been dismissed.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for left lower extremity and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, as well as cervical spine and upper extremity disabilities have been dismissed as moot due to prior decisions granting these claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities due to a lack of a VA examination and insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current condition and his military service, including herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's requests to reopen claims for service connection for GERD, a heart condition, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy in the bilateral upper and lower extremities, and PTSD with anxiety and depression have been granted. The Board has considered new evidence that was not previously of record at the time of the prior final rating decision.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for TDIU, SMC aid and attendance, and DEA benefits due to lack of factual ascertainability within one year prior to the claims being filed.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an expert medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have caused or aggravated his hyperlipidemia, and if so, whether this condition has caused or aggravated any of his other conditions beyond its natural progression.

The Board has remanded the claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. � 1151 due to an error in the Agency of Original Jurisdiction's action.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connection due to continuity of symptoms since service.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connection due to noise exposure during service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as he did not establish entitlement to a combined rating of at least 70% for his service-connected disabilities prior to February 26, 2020.,The DEA claim was also denied due to the denial of the TDIU claim and the effective date assigned for the TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity and left lower extremity.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II, right arm neuropathy, left arm neuropathy, right leg lower neuropathy, and left leg lower neuropathy are all granted as service connected. The Board found that the Veteran's current conditions were related to his in-service onset of diabetes.

The Board has identified three pre-decisional duty to assist errors and has therefore remanded the claims for further development. Specifically, the AOJ did not attempt to obtain the Veteran's private treatment records, the September 2023 VA Examination for diabetes mellitus is inadequate, and the September 2023 VA Examination for peripheral neuropathy is also inadequate.

The Board has remanded the claims for ischemic heart disease, arthritis of all joints, diabetes mellitus type II, and bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to potential exposure to toxic chemicals during service. The Veteran is also requested to undergo VA examinations to determine the nature, onset, and etiology of his claimed multi-joint arthritis, chronic pain, and gout condition.

The Veteran's appeals for increased PTSD and frostbite to face have been dismissed. The Board has remanded the remaining issues of service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability is granted, based on the PACT Act. The claims for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities are dismissed.