Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2024

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type II, persistent depressive disorder, and lower extremity diabetic neuropathy due to exposure to herbicides during active duty at Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base.

The Board has remanded both claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for further development.

The Veteran's initial increased ratings for diabetes and associated lower extremity neuropathies have been granted, with a rating of 40 percent in each leg.

The Board has remanded three issues related to the Veteran's claims for service connection: bilateral hearing loss, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities. The reasons for remand include inadequate opinions in the July 2016 VA examination regarding the cause of the Veteran's hearing loss and insufficient evidence addressing his reported noise exposure during active duty.

The Veteran's claim for service connection on multiple conditions is being remanded due to the need for VA examinations and medical opinions. The claims include asthma, chronic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, a skin condition, sleep apnea (to include as secondary to PTSD), GERD, low back disability, neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted with a 40 percent rating, effective October 20, 2009. Service connection for residuals of a benign chest cyst and tuberculosis are denied. The claims for anal fissure, benign prostatic hypertrophy, restless leg syndrome, erectile dysfunction (secondary to diabetes), and initial compensable rating for sinusitis are remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was previously rated at 20% prior to February 4, 2019. From that date forward, the condition has been rated at 60%. The appeal is denied for increased ratings.

The Veteran's right upper extremity neuropathy is rated at 30 percent from March 12, 2018 to June 15, 2023. The left upper extremity neuropathy remains rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for unspecified depressive disorder has been granted.,Service connection was also established for tinnitus with an effective date of June 20, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for service connection and increased ratings related to various conditions, including respiratory issues, peripheral neuropathy, groin pain, and lumbar strain. The Board has ordered these matters remanded due to incomplete records and the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right hip osteoarthritis with avascular necrosis and neuropathy of the upper right thigh due to conflicting opinions from VA examiners. The issues are inextricably intertwined, so a new examination is required.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a seizure disorder. The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations for anxiety disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and left ear hearing loss are remanded due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Board will need to provide the Veteran with examinations and consider additional medical opinions regarding his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate examination and a need for new evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder and right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to the service-connected cervical spine disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right wrist tenosynovitis, as well as right ankle impairment. Service connection is also granted for back impairment, but the remaining issues are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral hearing loss due to herbicide exposure.,Service connection is established for the Veteran's bilateral lower extremities peripheral neuropathy based on presumptive service connection for early-onset peripheral neuropathy associated with Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's diabetes, IHD, and hypertension are granted service connection based on presumed exposure to herbicides. PDR and peripheral neuropathy associated with diabetes are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's disability rating for diabetes was reduced from 60 percent to 20 percent, and the Board has granted restoration of the 60 percent rating. The issue of a higher rating remains pending as well as the issue of TDIU.

The Board has found that the Veteran's March 6, 2008 Notice of Disagreement was timely and remanded the cases for preparation of a Statement of the Case (SOC). The SOC should address earlier effective date for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and service connection for hepatitis C, left upper extremity neuropathy, and sickle cell anemia.