Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2024

The Board has denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to exposure to herbicide agents, as well as hypertension on a basis other than as pursuant to the PACT Act.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient examinations and opinions of record, as well as updated treatment records.

The Veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, and diabetic neuropathy right lower extremity are all granted as service connected due to exposure to herbicide agents in Korea.,The Veteran's diabetic neuropathy left lower extremity is also granted as service connected due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has granted increased disability evaluations to 40 percent for the right-upper-extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy and 30 percent for the left-upper-extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, effective from January 23, 2018. The claims for increased disability evaluations in excess of 20 percent for both lower extremities have been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his orthopedic conditions and diabetes mellitus, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left great toe disorder is granted, and she also receives higher ratings for bilateral hallux valgus. The decision on peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions including coronary artery disease, anxiety disorder, peripheral neuropathies, diabetes, and tinnitus have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. He is granted a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for the period of October 5, 2012 through July 12, 2023.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for ulnar neuropathy of the right upper extremity due to a negligent surgery performed at a non-VA facility in September 2012, and subsequent post-operative care at VA.

The Veteran's hypertension, right upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathies, and Acute Myeloid Leukemia have been granted service connection.,Service connection for the Veteran's blood disorder (Acute Myeloid Leukemia) is granted as it developed due to treatment of his lung cancer.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, but a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's left eye macular scar with optic neuropathy is currently rated as 30 percent disabling, and a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has found that the remand directives were not substantially complied with and thus another remand is warranted for further development regarding service connection claims for obstructive sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 20 percent for impairment of the right lower extremity, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy prior to October 8, 2021.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including pes planus, back impairment, right hip impairment, gastritis, diabetes, and related neuropathies have been granted. The effective dates are not specified as the claim was filed within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran was found to be unemployable due to service-connected disabilities from September 30, 2011 to September 25, 2019. The Board determined that the service-connected conditions significantly impeded his ability to maintain substantially gainful employment during this period.

The Veteran's diabetes, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, macular degeneration, and glaucoma are remanded for further development regarding exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim from May 4, 2016, to July 24, 2017, is dismissed as moot because he was already receiving a 100% disability rating for PTSD. The SMC claim prior to July 25, 2017, is also dismissed due to the Veteran's other service-connected disabilities not meeting the required criteria.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding no medical nexus to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, GI condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder, due to exposure to chemicals at Camp Carroll in the Republic of Korea.

The Board has vacated the previous decisions that denied service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus type II and peripheral neuropathy. The claims are now considered.