Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeal for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant was denied as none of his service-connected disabilities meet the criteria for such benefits. The appeal for an allowance for an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment only was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and diabetic peripheral neuropathy have been remanded for further evaluation as the current ratings are not sufficient to reflect the severity of his disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for all issues related to service connection and increased ratings, resulting in the dismissal of these appeals.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increase in rating or service connection for any of the claimed conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of an adequate VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's right leg nerve disability, specifically whether it is related to his service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's right lower extremity neuropathy is granted as secondary to her service-connected diabetes mellitus type 2.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for payment of unauthorized non-VA medical care provided on December 23, 2020. The care was emergent and delayed treatment would have been hazardous to his health. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities were aggravated by this emergency care.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, and coronary artery disease. The Board has granted SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claims for obesity, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, right knee osteoarthritis status post total knee arthroplasty, left foot disorder, diabetes mellitus type II, lumbar spine disorder, sleep apnea, and hypertension have been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, right and left upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and right and left lower extremity femoral nerve peripheral neuropathy are not rated higher than the current levels. The earlier effective dates for service connection of these conditions have also been denied.

The appeals for service connection and rating have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these claims at his hearing.

The Board has granted an effective date of October 1, 2011 for service connection of the Veteran's lower extremity diabetic neuropathy of the femoral and sciatic nerves. The decision resolves doubt in favor of the Veteran based on his contentions that symptoms began during active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type I and its associated diabetic neuropathy conditions are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions. The VA will need to provide a new examination to address the etiology of the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type I and whether it is related to his service-connected hypertension.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including cervical spine disability, ocular migraines, neuropathy of bilateral upper and lower extremities, bilateral shoulder disability, low back disability, and Osgood-Schlatter's disease of the left knee. The Board found no evidence that these conditions were related to active service.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for diabetes mellitus and related peripheral neuropathies have been denied. The effective date cannot be earlier than December 6, 2022 as per VA regulations.

The Board has denied service connection for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that the evidence does not support a relationship to active service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including diabetic retinopathy and various types of peripheral neuropathy, were granted. The Veteran was also awarded a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy associated with diabetes mellitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The case is remanded for further development regarding peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, as well as knee conditions and cervical spine disability.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, PVD of the lower extremities, and serpiginous choroiditis to include vision loss due to lack of evidence showing a relationship between these conditions and active service or exposure to herbicide agents.,Specifically, the Board found no evidence of early onset peripheral neuropathy within one year after Agent Orange exposure or within one year following discharge from active service. The Veteran's statements regarding symptom onset were not supported by the overall evidence.