Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2024

The Board denied service connection for heart conditions, cirrhosis of the liver, and diabetes. The Veteran's heart disabilities were not related to his active duty in Korea.,The Board also denied service connection for left foot peripheral neuropathy and left ankle condition.

The Board denied service connection for an upper extremity disorder, including peripheral neuropathy with right hand finger numbness, as the evidence did not show a current disability related to active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type II (DMII), cataracts, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to DMII, all based on lack of exposure to herbicide agents during service.,Service connection was not granted as the Veteran's conditions did not have their onset in service or within one year of service.

The Veteran's claim for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to December 20, 2010 was denied as he did not meet the schedular requirements and his service-connected disabilities were insufficient to render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, and an eye disability due to incomplete development in previous examinations.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability, neck disability, and cervical radiculopathy of the bilateral upper extremities. The claim for blood clots in legs and sleep disorder was denied.

The Veteran's right and left upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy are granted with ratings of 40% each, effective September 12, 2023. The Veteran's right and left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy are also granted with ratings of 40%, effective September 12, 2023.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for his awards of service connection for pancreatitis, diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities have been denied. The effective date remains December 12, 2014.

The Board has granted effective dates of May 7, 2021 for both TDIU and DEA benefits based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy are granted with a 20% rating, effective August 23, 2023. The claim for service connection of the left upper extremity disability is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities was dismissed because it is a duplicate appeal that has already been fully adjudicated.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, as well as erectile dysfunction, are dismissed due to the grant of these conditions via a May 2023 claim. The Board finds no remaining error in the decision.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left upper extremity, right upper extremity, left lower extremity, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are granted.,The Veteran's service connection claim for hematologic and lymphatic conditions is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Veteran's malignant gastrointestinal stromal tumor is granted service connection due to herbicide agent exposure under the PACT Act. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy, secondary to gastrointestinal stromal tumor, is also granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and ischemic heart condition (claimed atrial fibrillation) as there was insufficient evidence to establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unemployable due to their severity.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy in both upper and lower extremities for further development, including obtaining a new VA examination.

The Board granted service connection for several disabilities, including degenerative arthritis of the right and left foot, cervical strain, degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, left shoulder strain, left elbow strain, peripheral neuropathy of both upper and lower extremities. However, it denied service connection for a respiratory disability, an eye disability, and a gynecological disability.

The Veteran's right lower extremity sciatic neuropathy is granted a disability rating of 40 percent, while the diabetes mellitus remains at 20 percent.

The Board remands the claims for service connection of peripheral neuropathy and sleep apnea, as well as a TDIU claim, to ensure compliance with the Joint Motion for Remand.