Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2024

The Veteran's coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure are related to service, and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions. The claims for erectile dysfunction, diabetes type 2, and bilateral lower body neuropathy have been remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was granted. The claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right upper extremities, as well as erectile dysfunction, are being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and clarification regarding exposure to Agent Orange or other TERA during service, as well as medical opinions on the etiology of the Veteran's skin cancer, right and left lower extremity neuropathy, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, as well as femoral nerve disabilities in both legs, were denied. The current ratings assigned are considered appropriate based on the severity of symptoms reported.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, leading to a TDIU effective October 22, 2019. The Board finds that the RO should have referred this claim for extraschedular consideration prior to adjudicating the pre-October 22, 2019 period on appeal.

The Veteran's OSA is granted, but his right hand arthritis, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, lumbar spine disorder, and other conditions are denied. The AOJ must obtain a proper examination for the issues not yet addressed.

The Veteran's application for Legacy S-DVI was denied because it was not timely filed, as he applied more than two years after his last service-connected disability award. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is granted. The Veteran's ulnar nerve neuropathy from shell fragment wound to the left minor forearm, retained metal fragment in left femur muscle group XIV, and scars are all rated as noncompensable under their respective diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, as secondary to his service-connected lumbar strain. The case requires further development with an opinion from a VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain aggravated his peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's hypertension and bilateral upper and lower peripheral neuropathy are granted as presumptively associated with herbicide exposure under the PACT Act. However, his claim for service connection for hypertension on a basis other than as pursuant to the PACT Act is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, erectile dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy have been reopened. The Board has granted these claims as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus and its associated complications was granted effective August 10, 2022. Service connection for basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 was also granted effective May 3, 2023.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to exposure to Camp Lejeune contaminated water, as bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and/or bilateral Charcot foot. The VA is instructed to obtain a medical opinion considering the Veteran's lay statements of symptoms during service, multiple medical articles on toxic exposure, and his participation in a TERA at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and related peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are granted as service connected due to exposure to herbicide agents during active duty in Thailand.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about the sufficiency of the VA examination and the need for further development regarding whether the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities has been granted effective from August 17, 2016. The initial disability rating is 20 percent for each affected limb until March 17, 2020.

The Veteran's prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are granted as service-connected due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents while serving at U-Tapao RTAFB in Thailand.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction and right upper extremity neuropathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities have been granted with an effective date of October 27, 2010. The Veteran is also entitled to a grant of service connection under the Blue Water Navy Act of 2019 as his type II diabetes mellitus was previously granted under this act.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both upper extremities due to a lack of adequate medical opinion and potential pre-decisional duty to assist error.