Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes is found to be related to his current diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and hypertension. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's hypertension, PTSD, diabetes, and peripheral neuropathies were granted service connection. The PTSD rating was reduced from 70% to 30%, effective July 1, 2020, for reasons related to the reduction process. Higher ratings for some of his disabilities were also granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left extremities, as secondary to exposure to herbicides. The decision is based on an inadequate VA examination that did not consider all necessary tests.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for peripheral neuropathy in both lower extremities has been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his hearing request.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations in excess of the current ratings for peripheral neuropathy, limitation of flexion, subluxation, and limitation of supination have been withdrawn by his authorized representative. As a result, these claims are dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, kidney disease, trigeminal neuralgia pain, an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), right lower peripheral neuropathy, left lower peripheral neuropathy, right peripheral vascular disease, left peripheral vascular disease, diabetes mellitus, heart condition, and hypertension are being remanded due to the Veteran missing his VA examinations.,The Board finds that the Veteran presented good cause for having missed his appointments and therefore, the claims must be remanded to afford the Veteran adequate examinations and medical opinions regarding these disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during active service and are related to his in-service complaints of numbness and tingling.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and left ankle neuropathy, finding that additional development is needed to address the relationship between these conditions and his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on all issues except tinnitus have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the claims by the Veteran. The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for all issues related to the service-connected conditions listed, including PTSD, low back disability, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right foot and left foot disabilities, hip limitations, wrist ganglion cyst, scar on the right wrist, allergic rhinitis, sciatic radicular pain of the left lower extremity, shoulder disability, and traumatic brain injury. As a result, all appeals are dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathies due to herbicide exposure in the Korean DMZ. The VA examination did not address the Veteran's longstanding numbness, leading to a remand for addendum opinions.

A 50 percent rating for right upper extremity (RUE) diabetic peripheral neuropathy, throughout the appeal, is granted.,A 40 percent rating for left upper extremity (LUE) diabetic peripheral neuropathy, throughout the appeal, is granted.,Entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development due to missing service treatment records and unattempted private medical record requests.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and higher disability ratings have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and associated diabetic peripheral neuropathy are granted due to exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand as provided by the PACT Act.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to a pre-decisional duty to assist omission regarding the Veteran's theory of exposure to ionizing radiation in service.

The Board dismissed all appeals related to the veteran's claims for various ratings and effective dates due to his death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding no new and relevant evidence to support reopening or readjudicating these claims.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms result in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but not total occupational and social impairment. A 70 percent rating is granted for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy affecting both upper and lower extremities, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to November 6, 2020. The claim for a TDIU is granted.