Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are remanded due to the inadequacy of a prior VA examination. The case will be returned for further evaluation.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions as the November 2020 AOJ letter was not an appealable decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for glaucoma, hypertension, neuropathy, and a skin disease are being remanded due to the VA not considering relevant evidence from internet articles that discuss potential herbicide exposure on Okinawa before it was transferred to Johnston Island.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for service connection and increased ratings for various conditions, including a head injury, left ankle/foot peripheral neuropathy, and right thumb injury. The Board has remanded the cases of left ankle/foot peripheral neuropathy and right thumb injury.,For the claim regarding head injury including stitches, the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis related to this condition.

The Veteran's SMC was granted at intermediate rates for specific periods and maximum rate after August 23, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 50 percent for OSA is denied. The Board also granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, as well as asthma, are remanded due to a lack of medical opinion regarding the relationship between these conditions and his exposure to burn pits during service. The AOJ is instructed to obtain VA examinations and opinions addressing this issue.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for several issues, including increased evaluations and service connection claims. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for earlier effective dates and initial ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerves and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities as they are still pending in the legacy system.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for IBS, PTSD, right foot peripheral neuropathy, a right foot great toe fracture, and right knee disability have been denied. The claim for hypertension is remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claim for lumbar strain was denied. The Board found no nexus between the in-service injury and current disability.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was also denied, as the Veteran's hearing acuity did not meet criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his right lower extremity radiculopathy with ankle neuropathy and restless leg syndrome, sciatic nerve is granted. The claim for a compensable disability rating for his left lower extremity radiculopathy with ankle neuropathy and restless leg syndrome, internal saphenous nerve is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation for sleep apnea has been withdrawn and dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for SMC for the loss of use of the creative organ has been withdrawn and dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to a potential error in the initial decision, requiring further examination and analysis.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD, TBI, tension headaches, a lumbar spine compression fracture, a right elbow fracture, scars of the right forearm, neuropathy of the right upper extremity, a right wrist fracture, and tinnitus previously found to be service connected for treatment purposes only is dismissed. Service connection for a right knee disability is granted.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right foot condition, left foot condition, right-hand condition (nerve damage, tendonitis, neuropathy), hypertension, and erectile dysfunction for additional development of evidence.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of bilateral upper and lower extremities as the evidence did not support a link to in-service exposure or other in-service incurrence.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple claims for increased disability ratings and TDIU. The Board has identified several records that are not in the claims file, including SSA records and VA treatment records from VistA Imaging system. These records may be relevant to the instant appeals.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ischemic heart disease, hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus, type II, and bilateral peripheral neuropathy, lower extremities as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II are granted. Service connection for hypertension is dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease as secondary to in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The claims of entitlement to service connection for early-onset peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are being remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.