Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2024

The Veteran's vertigo, seizure disorder, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability (lumbar spinal stenosis, lumbar spondylolisthesis, and spondylosis with radiculopathy), diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, bilateral eye disability, tinnitus, hypertension, chronic memory loss disability, chronic headache disability, major depressive disorder, right foot disability, right knee disability, arthritis, left foot disability, left knee disability, left hip disability, and right hip disability are not supported by evidence of record.,The Veteran's service connection claims for vertigo, seizure disorder, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability (lumbar spinal stenosis, lumbar spondylolisthesis, and spondylosis with radiculopathy), diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, bilateral eye disability, tinnitus, hypertension, chronic memory loss disability, chronic headache disability, major depressive disorder, right foot disability, right knee disability, arthritis, left foot disability, left knee disability, left hip disability, and right hip disability are denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, which is presumed not related to service exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, combined with other disabilities, has rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation. Effective January 10, 2021, he is granted a TDIU.

The Board has granted the Veteran's appeals for service connection for diabetes, right lower extremity neuropathy, left lower extremity neuropathy, and hypertension. The appeal was granted due to the proper application of law and evidence.

The Veteran was granted an initial 40 percent rating for his service-connected right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's cold injury residuals of the left and right hands have been rated at 10 percent since December 2, 2005. From April 14, 2014, a separate compensable rating for peripheral neuropathy was granted.

The Veteran's right hip and low back disabilities are found to have had their onset in service, warranting service connection. However, the claim for a left hip disability is remanded as it may be secondary to his service-connected left ankle and/or left knee disabilities.,Service connection has been granted for right trigeminal neuropathy with an effective date of April 27, 2018.

The Board has remanded several claims, including those related to depressive disorder, left lower extremity neuropathy, PTSD, a left leg scar, a head scar, and anxiety disorder. The remand is due to the loss of hearing transcripts and failure to provide notice regarding SSA records.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased evaluation of eczema is dismissed. The Board grants service connection for a vestibular disorder secondary to sinusitis and stress urinary incontinence.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (depression/anxiety) and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, but both issues are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbosacral strain and stenosis with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome, right lower extremity neuropathy, and left lower extremity neuropathy, render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The issues are being remanded to develop additional theories of entitlement related to exposure to chemicals or toxins during his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, as it may be related to his claimed conditions. A VA examination is required to determine if these disabilities are at least as likely as not related to service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right upper extremities due to a lack of current diagnosis in these areas, as all medical records indicate only lower extremity involvement.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his right wrist status post operative carpal tunnel release, right tibial neuropathy, and right eye conjunctivitis claims.

The Board has determined that the medical opinion is inadequate and a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate one. The Veteran's condition was compared before and after the March 2014 left femoral aneurysm repair, but the examiner did not provide sufficient rationale for their conclusions regarding the presence of additional peripheral neuropathy or causation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right upper extremity neuropathy, finding that there is no persuasive evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for diabetes mellitus type 2, heart disorder, respiratory disorder (asthma), and neuropathy of the lower extremity due to unclear medical opinions and potential need for additional VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that there is a pre-decisional duty to assist error due to inadequate opinions regarding secondary service connection and the factual basis for the VA examiner's opinion. The case is being remanded for further examination and analysis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and hallux valgus, as well as a separate disability rating for hallux valgus. The remand requires additional medical opinions to address causation and aggravation of these conditions.