Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2023

The claim of service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened, and the appeal is granted. The claims for peripheral neuropathy in various extremities and ischemic strokes are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is denied as there is no evidence of a TBI during or after service.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for respiratory/lung disability, neuropathy of bilateral upper extremities, and neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The appeal for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus is dismissed as the Veteran has already been awarded this benefit. The appeals for initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper and lower extremities, as well as a right eye disability, are being remanded due to new evidence presented. Service connection is not yet established.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, leaving no issues for the Board to adjudicate.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various neurological conditions, including Bell's palsy and diabetes mellitus type II, were denied as these conditions are not shown to be related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for PTSD and evaluations of peripheral neuropathy in both lower extremities, as well as effective date determinations. The Veteran's representative requested information about the qualifications of the VA examiners who provided the necessary examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for peripheral neuropathy of his upper and lower extremities prior to May 12, 2014 due to insufficient consideration of recent VA treatment records.

The Board has found that further development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, retinopathy, and cataracts. The AOJ must obtain private treatment records from Sweetwater Medical Clinic and Dr. Tara Mullen, as well as verify the Veteran's claimed exposure to herbicides in Korea.

The Veteran's sciatic and femoral neuropathies of the lower extremities have been granted initial ratings of 20 percent each prior to October 23, 2017. Ratings in excess of these levels are denied.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as presumptively related to herbicide exposure under the PACT Act. Service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings for his service-connected diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities. The Veteran will need to provide updated medical records, including an EMG and nerve conduction study from April 2012, and a VA examination to assess the current severity of his disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bone spur of the right foot. The claims for left lower extremity neuropathy, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), and residuals of a right hand fifth metacarpal fracture are remanded due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy in the bilateral lower extremities, and thus denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypothyroidism, benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for nerve disorder affecting the left lower extremity, finding no evidence of a direct link to service and considering the long interval between service and diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity due to a lack of information regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents in the Korean DMZ. The Veteran is requested to provide VA with additional information about his Korea service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy and exposure to herbicide agents. Additional development is needed for an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's claim to reopen a service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy is granted. Service connection is also granted for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, which are related to his service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's diabetes and related disabilities are remanded for further evaluation, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected conditions. The issue of TDIU is also remanded due to its inextricability with the increased rating claims.