Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the claims for sleep apnea and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities due to new evidence indicating a possible service connection based on exposure to toxic environments during service. The Veteran's testimony at her hearing suggests that she experienced symptoms prior to her deployment, which may be relevant to establishing service connection.

The Board granted service connection for a heart condition, hypertension, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and an acquired psychiatric disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer. The claim for a compensable disability rating for erectile dysfunction was withdrawn by the Veteran, and the discontinuance of the 100 percent rating for residuals of prostate cancer was deemed proper.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity compartment syndrome peripheral neuropathies have been granted increased ratings.,A 40 percent rating is granted for the right and left lower extremities prior to April 24, 2024. A 60 percent rating is granted from April 24, 2024.

The Board has granted service connection for right leg sciatica prior to May 9, 2022, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension is granted an initial rating of 10 percent. The Board has remanded the remaining issues for further development and consideration.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy and an increased rating for hypertension due to a lack of consideration of certain evidence.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy and an increased rating for hypertension due to a lack of consideration of certain evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to duty-to-assist errors in obtaining relevant medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lower extremity peripheral neuropathology/neuropathy are granted as secondary to his service-connected cold injury residuals.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for upper extremity peripheral neuropathology/neuropathy are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but has remanded the issues of service connection for ischemic heart disease, prostate cancer, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy due to incomplete service records and lack of verification of herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and associated bilateral lower extremity diabetic neuropathy are being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for a new VA examination to address the severity of his conditions and whether they require regulation of activity.

The Veteran's right hand keratoacanthoma is rated at 10 percent, which is the lowest possible rating under VA regulations. The evidence does not support a higher rating.,For his lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, the Veteran has been assigned a 30 percent rating for each leg, reflecting moderate incomplete paralysis of the anterior crural (femoral) nerves.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including obtaining relevant treatment records and an adequate medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for sleep apnea, back disability, lower left extremity radiculopathy, and upper left extremity neuropathy due to insufficient evidence of current diagnoses or causal relationships.

The Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the left base of tongue, tonsil, and supraglottic larynx has been granted service connection on a presumptive basis due to herbicide agent exposure. The Board also granted service connection for LLE, RLE, LUE, and RUE neuropathies as well as a nasal drainage condition all secondary to the respiratory cancer.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of conversion disorder has been denied. The Board also remanded the case to obtain medical opinions and associate records.

The Board has remanded the claims for multiple myeloma, hip replacement, residuals of lung surgery, and myelodysplastic syndrome due to a failure to obtain VA treatment records. The appellant is also being asked to provide any additional evidence they may have.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for left upper and lower extremity neurological residuals of a stroke have been dismissed due to improper placement in the Appeals Modernization Act system.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD and multifocal motor neuropathy of bilateral upper and lower extremities, have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance. The Board has remanded the case for further consideration under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(o).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities resulted in a need for regular aid and attendance from February 5, 2007, to October 13, 2020, resulting in the grant of SMC A&A.,For the entire appeal period, the Veteran was assigned the maximum schedular rating (100%) for prostate cancer due to service-connected conditions and is therefore denied an increased rating.,The Veteran's metastatic disease of the pelvis, spine, and proximal femur also received a maximum schedular rating (100%) throughout the appeal period, precluding any increase in disability ratings.,Diabetes mellitus, type II, was rated at 20% for the entire appeal period. The Veteran is denied an increased rating as there are no additional criteria met to warrant a higher rating.