Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been REMANDED due to the need for verification of exposure to herbicide agents and other chemicals, as well as further examination to determine the nature and etiology of her conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The claims for right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right shoulder pain are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to exposure to herbicide agents. The AOJ is directed to undertake additional development including verifying the Veteran's reported exposure to herbicide agents in the Korean DMZ.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate examinations and failure to address discrepancies between subjective symptoms and objective findings. The Veteran is also required to undergo a new examination for his diabetic neuropathy, with specific attention to distinguishing other causes of disability from diabetic neuropathy.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for various upper and lower extremity neuropathies due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives, lack of adequate rationale in opinions provided by VA examiners, and the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's service-connected testicular cancer and its metastasis to the retroperitoneum are granted as well as several related conditions. The cause of death is also granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 30 percent for ulnar neuropathy of the right upper extremity, finding that his disability was currently rated as moderate incomplete paralysis and did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's right knee and left knee disabilities, as well as his IVDS with degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are all remanded for further development.,Specifically, a new VA examination is needed to evaluate the current extent and severity of the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities. The Veteran also needs an updated VA examination for his IVDS and degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran is granted a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, effective August 14, 2017. The decision finds that the Veteran's service-connected conditions render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes, do not meet the schedular or extraschedular criteria for a TDIU prior to March 23, 2021. The VA Director of Compensation Service concluded that the Veteran is unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment for the entire period on appeal, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to conflicting findings in the VA examination report. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other claims.

Your appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate your claims as they are no longer pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, type II and erectile dysfunction, have been rated. The Board finds that the current evaluations do not accurately reflect the severity of his conditions and remands for further examinations to determine appropriate ratings.

Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is granted.,Service connection for hypertension on a basis other than as pursuant to the PACT Act is granted. Service connection for hypertension under the PACT Act is remanded due to potential prior effective date issues.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity is granted.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity is granted.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity is granted.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is granted.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for the adjudication of his claims regarding a higher rating for diabetes and a separate disability rating for bilateral retinopathy.

Service connection for neuropathy of the bilateral feet is granted as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine disability. The claim for reopening of a left knee disability is granted.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right upper extremities as a result of presumed herbicide exposure, finding no current diagnosis of early-onset peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, headaches, low back pain, and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment. Service connection for bilateral upper extremity numbness and tingling is denied as not related to service.