Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2024

The Veteran's left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is now rated at 30 percent, which aligns with the criteria for moderate incomplete paralysis.,The right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy remains at a 40 percent rating.

The appeal for a rating in excess of 40 percent for service-connected left ulnar nerve peripheral neuropathy and left forearm myalgia is denied. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, and hip conditions are dismissed. Service connection is granted for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities due to exposure to herbicide agents. The claim for low back disability is remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated as noncompensable, and the claim for a higher rating is denied.,The Veteran's hypertension associated with herbicide exposure has not met the criteria for a compensable rating. The claim for an initial compensable rating is denied.,The VA examiner found it less likely than not that the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity neuropathy is related to his toxic exposures, including herbicide agent exposure and MOS-related exposure. The claim for service connection is remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates in a May 2024 Board hearing, effectively dismissing all related issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of adequate medical examination and opinion regarding her claimed psychiatric disorders, right ankle, bilateral knee, and right wrist disabilities. The Veteran is also being asked to provide additional evidence within 90 days.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus type II, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to a service-connected disability are all denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of in-service exposure or a relationship between these conditions and active service.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of right leg and left leg peripheral neuropathy due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding the nature and severity of his service-connected lower extremity nerve disabilities. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hair loss, sterility, and peripheral neuropathy feet due to radiation exposure. The evidence did not support a current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, as well as OSA, to include as secondary to service-connected fibromyalgia. The reasons are that there is insufficient evidence regarding whether these conditions are proximately due or aggravated by the service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee conditions, left and right hip conditions, as well as a low back disability have been dismissed. Service connection has been granted for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted an initial rating of 10 percent, but no higher. His claims for increased ratings for bilateral lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy are denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected diabetic peripheral sensory polyneuropathy did not result in loss of use of his feet, as there was still some functional capacity remaining. The evidence showed significant pain and numbness but also some residual strength and sensation.

The Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer residuals, diabetes, and neuropathy of the right lower extremity have resulted in a TDIU effective October 1, 2007. The Veteran is also eligible for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits under 38 U.S.C. chapter 35 since this date.

The Board has granted service connection for left lower extremity neuropathy, right lower extremity neuropathy, left upper extremity neuropathy, and right upper extremity neuropathy due to Agent Orange exposure during service in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in a permanent loss of use of his right hand and right foot, which precludes effective operation of an automobile. Therefore, eligibility for financial assistance to purchase an automobile or adaptive equipment is granted.

Service connection is denied for hyperlipidemia, low back pain, diabetes mellitus, bladder disability, diminishing eyesight (cataracts), right lower extremity neurologic disability (diabetic neuropathy), right shoulder disability, erectile dysfunction, and allergic rhinitis.,The Veteran's service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations renders him a Persian Gulf War veteran. The PACT Act presumes service connection for qualifying chronic disabilities due to exposure to environmental hazards including fine particulate matter.

The Veteran's postoperative hernia and ilio-inguinal neuropathy have not been rated higher than noncompensable.,Service connection for a back disability has been granted, but the rating remains at noncompensable.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, left lower extremity, and left upper extremity as secondary to diabetes mellitus. Service connection was denied for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity due to service or diabetes.