Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2024

Service connection is granted for left lower extremity and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to presumed exposure at Camp Lejeune. Service connection for migraine headaches is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed left knee, right knee, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy disabilities are not service-connected as they were either not incurred or caused by his military service.

The Veteran's hypertension has been granted service connection under the PACT Act, and he is entitled to a disability rating for coronary artery disease. However, his claim for an increased rating remains pending.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities is remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding its etiology.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, anosmia, bilateral optic neuropathy and glaucoma, and vertigo. The claims were previously denied in a May 2019 rating decision but readjudicated due to new evidence received after January 2018.

Service connection for a heart disability is granted.,Effective dates of April 6, 2005 are granted for service connection of diabetic neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus rating remains at 20 percent.,Increased ratings for diabetic neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities are remanded.,An effective date earlier than September 6, 2016 for SMC based on a need for aid and attendance is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than September 23, 2009 for Meniere's syndrome and November 29, 2011 for migraines due to Meniere's syndrome have been granted. The other claims related to a neck disability, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and scar have not met the criteria for an effective date prior to October 26, 2020.

The Veteran's diabetes, left upper extremity neuropathy, and right upper extremity neuropathy are all granted as secondary to his service-connected right knee strain.

The Veteran's claim for tinnitus was granted, while his CIDP claim is being remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Board found that the Veteran has current tinnitus and service-connected hearing loss, which supports a secondary service connection.

The Board denied service connection for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, both claimed as diabetic neuropathy, to include as secondary to service-connected diabetes.

The appeal for readjudication of previously denied claims related to hypertension, heart disability, GERD, peripheral neuropathy, PTSD with anxiety and depression, rheumatoid arthritis, and respiratory disorder are dismissed as they were already addressed in a December 2023 Board decision.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a temporary total evaluation are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are granted as service connected due to presumed exposure to herbicides in the Republic of Vietnam. Service connection is also granted for the bilateral lower extremity neuropathies on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder and peripheral neuropathy disabilities have necessitated the need for regular aid and attendance since September 6, 2017. The Board has granted SMC at the intermediate rate based on this need.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right upper extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran was not diagnosed with these conditions during her examination, and there is no evidence of a nexus between current symptoms and service.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA eligibility are granted from September 4, 2019. The effective date for both benefits is set at the earliest date of receipt of his claims.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance/housebound status is remanded due to a duty to assist error. The case will be adjudicated again with the inclusion of an updated Aid and Attendance examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including multiple myeloma and back disability with associated neuropathy, meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU prior to August 10, 2022. The case is being remanded for further adjudication.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to duty-to-assist errors and insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran seeks increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, which were denied. The Board also remanded his claim for service connection for headaches.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is rated at 20% in both legs, with a request for higher ratings.

The Board has determined that the grant of service connection for various conditions was clearly and unmistakably erroneous due to a lack of qualifying active duty, resulting in denial of the appeal.