Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for left lower extremity tibial nerve neuropathy was denied. The Veteran's claim for a TDIU from February 1, 2019, through December 5, 2019, is remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of splenectomy, diabetes mellitus type 2 (diabetes), and neuropathy of the right lower extremity have been denied.,Service connection was not granted for residuals of splenectomy due to lack of evidence of a current disability. Service connection was also denied for diabetes as it was not incurred in service or related to a service-connected condition. The Veteran's neuropathy claim was denied because there is no link between the right ankle injury and the current symptoms.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for COPD, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and hypertension. The appeal for service connection for hypertension is remanded due to its potential association with herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left upper extremity (LUE) peripheral neuropathy and heart condition, to include ischemic heart disease, coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, valvular heart disease, and hypertensive heart disease, is denied. The case was remanded due to the Veteran's failure to appear for a VA examination.

The Board has granted effective dates of October 28, 2015 for the grant of a 20 percent rating for low back disability and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (sciatica). The petition to reopen the claim for service connection for left shoulder disability is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities has been rated at 40 percent and 30 percent, respectively. The Board finds that these ratings are not higher than what is warranted.,The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities has also been rated at 20 percent each. The Board finds that these ratings are not higher than what is warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of diabetic peripheral neuropathy in any extremity, and therefore service connection for right upper extremity, left upper extremity, and right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy is denied.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as a presumptive condition due to herbicide exposure during service in Vietnam, effective October 1, 2026.,Service connection for neuropathy of the left lower extremity and right lower extremity is denied. The Board found no current diagnosis or treatment records indicating such conditions.

The Board denied service connection for right shoulder and elbow conditions, finding no evidence of a nexus to active service.,Service connection was also denied for residuals of frostbite of the feet (polyneuropathy), with the Board concluding that there is no direct link between the condition and active service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to obtain a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran sustained additional disability of the right leg as a result of the January 2004 surgery and if VA failed to exercise the degree of care that would be expected of a reasonable healthcare provider.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records and a need for further review of the Veteran's exposure history.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, including peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities and atrial fibrillation.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for OSA, a heart disorder, peripheral vascular disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, diabetic kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, and erectile dysfunction. The Veteran's claims are not supported by the evidence.,Service connection is denied for all conditions listed above.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions are being remanded due to the need for further development regarding exposure history.

The Veteran's claim for a RLE neurological condition has been reopened due to new evidence. The hearing loss and PTSD claims have been denied, while the TBI and related conditions (headaches) are remanded. The right knee and foot conditions remain in dispute.

The Veteran's cervical strain is currently rated at 30 percent, effective November 17, 2022. The Board has granted separate ratings of 20 percent for left and right upper extremity neuropathy.,The TDIU claim is remanded as the Veteran's combined rating is now 100% due to her cervical strain and upper extremity neuropathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy in his upper and lower extremities, all claimed as due to exposure to Persian Gulf War environmental hazards. The VA will obtain any relevant treatment records and schedule the Veteran for a neurological examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral lower extremity sensory peripheral neuropathy and TDIU due to outdated examination records and potential worsening of symptoms. A new examination is needed.

The Veteran's HIV and bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathies are denied as they do not meet the criteria for service connection due to a dishonorable discharge from active duty. The sinus disability claim is also denied.,Service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome, right; left, PTSD, and head trauma secondary to PTSD are remanded for further development.