Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2024

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of various spinal and peripheral neuropathy conditions as the Veteran withdrew his appeal in September 2020.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for TDIU and DEA benefits are being remanded due to the need to consider new evidence and assess his current occupational capacity.

The appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied, while the appeals for diabetes mellitus, type II, and peripheral neuropathy of both upper and lower extremities were remanded.

The Board denied a higher rating for peripheral neuropathy of the left-hand lacerations and related residuals, but granted service connection for left hand carpal tunnel syndrome as a residual of his left hand and left middle, ring, and little finger lacerations.

The Board remands the issues of earlier effective dates for various conditions associated with herbicide exposure, including squamous cell lung cancer and coronary artery disease, as well as peripheral neuropathy in multiple extremities.

The Board has reopened the previously denied service connection claims for bilateral eye disorder, bilateral foot disorder, and BLE disorder. These issues are now remanded for further development.

The Board granted a 50 percent rating for the Veteran's right medial nerve injury and right upper extremity diabetic neuropathy, finding that the evidence was approximately balanced in favor of severe incomplete paralysis during the appeal period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities because his combined evaluation was at least 70% and he satisfied the schedular rating criteria. The evidence did not show that he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the reduction in disability rating from 60% to 20% for left lower extremity neuropathy was proper, as there was actual improvement and the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work improved. The claim for restoration is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for diabetic peripheral neuropathy involving the sciatic nerve, right lower extremities has been dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has granted an effective date of January 11, 2020 for the award of service connection for the Veteran's right ankle condition. The decision is based on the Veteran's continuous pursuit of his claim and the inclusion of the right ankle disability within the scope of the original claim.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right wrist, left elbow, and left ulnar neuropathy disabilities are not secondary to his service-connected left shoulder disability. The case is being remanded for further examination to address whether these conditions were aggravated by his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's arthritis, low back disability, and right upper extremity neuropathy were not incurred in or caused by service.,A 30 percent rating for cluster headaches (formerly tension headaches) is granted as of July 16, 2021.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and medical opinions. The issues of aid and attendance are also being remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the service connection issues.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, right upper extremity, and left upper extremity. The claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity and Meniere's Disease is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities. The AOJ is instructed to consider whether the Veteran requires the aid and attendance of another person solely due to effects of service-connected disabilities, including differentiating symptoms of peripheral neuropathy from non-service-connected back pain.

The Board granted service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy and peripheral vascular disease of the bilateral lower extremities, both associated with diabetes mellitus type II. The claims for peripheral neuropathy and peripheral vascular disease of the bilateral upper extremities were remanded for further development.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of both upper and lower extremities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher level of disability than currently assigned.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and a compensable rating for the scar below the left knee.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development to determine his eligibility for Family Caregiver services under the VA's Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC).