Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for service connection for MGUS with polyneuropathy is granted, effective August 10, 2022. The issue of direct service connection remains remanded.

The Board has dismissed the claim for nonservice-connected pension from July 8, 2019 and after as moot due to the Veteran's service-connected disability rating. The claim is remanded for additional development regarding pension prior to July 8, 2019.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy and its relationship to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is rated as moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve, which does not meet the criteria for higher ratings.,From February 25, 2014 to October 3, 2015, the Veteran's bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy was also rated as moderate incomplete paralysis of all radicular groups, which did not warrant higher ratings.

The Veteran's left foot 2nd metatarsal fracture disability was granted a 30 percent rating effective December 7, 2022. The appeal for higher ratings is denied.

The Board has remanded several issues for additional development, including the rating of ED/impotence and peripheral neuropathy in both lower extremities. The claim for a higher rating for residual scars is also being remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for axonal peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, right ankle disorder, and right knee disorder. However, these claims are still being remanded as VA is required to provide a medical examination to determine if there is a nexus between the current disabilities and the in-service events.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the Veteran's lymphoma and neuropathy from October 14, 2010 to November 2, 2011. The claims of service connection for depression, headaches, and a respiratory disability are also being remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension was granted service connection due to exposure to herbicide agents during service.,His peripheral neuropathy and peripheral arterial disease were granted secondary service connection based on causation by his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus (DM II).,SMC for aid and attendance was also granted, as the Veteran required regular assistance from another person due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and therefore the TDIU claim is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for skin infections, peripheral neuropathy, chronic kidney disease, and retinopathy are remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining VA examinations.

The Veteran's service connection for diabetes mellitus type II (claimed as impaired fasting glucose) was granted. Service connection for impaired fasting glucose, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were also granted.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and initial compensable ratings for bilateral lower extremity neuropathy are denied.,The Veteran is not entitled to a 10 percent evaluation based on multiple, noncompensable service-connected disabilities during the period from December 11, 2012, to January 14, 2013.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not render him unemployable prior to July 19, 2012. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current condition and his military service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy affecting the sciatic and femoral nerves prior to March 22, 2017 are being remanded due to the need for additional development of medical evidence.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for secondary service connection for neuropathy in the left upper extremity is granted. Service connection for a bilateral hip disability and right knee disability is also granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right arm, left arm, right leg, and left leg peripheral neuropathy due to inadequate medical opinions regarding exposure to toxic substances in Vietnam.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, which render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for TDIU and service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that his disabilities did not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to December 11, 2015.