Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2024

The Veteran requested to withdraw all issues on appeal, and the Board has dismissed them as a result.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depression and anxiety associated with multiple sclerosis (MS), bladder complications associated with MS, left upper extremity neuropathy associated with MS, right upper extremity neuropathy associated with MS, right lower extremity neuropathy associated with MS, and left lower extremity neuropathy associated with MS, result in the need for regular aid and attendance of another person.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim is granted. The Board finds service connection for tinnitus is warranted due to in-service noise exposure and credible lay statements of continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary and the case is being remanded for a new addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral upper extremities conditions.

The Veteran's left and right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy have been granted increased ratings of 40 percent effective from the dates specified.,Service connection for a left hip disability secondary to bilateral lower extremity diabetic neuropathy, and chronic kidney disease secondary to diabetes mellitus, has also been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for higher ratings are remanded due to a lack of updated medical records and inadequate previous examinations. The Veteran is seeking increased disability ratings for diabetes mellitus type II and associated peripheral neuropathies of the lower extremities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disability, a bilateral eye disability, left ear hearing loss, a head nodule, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities prior to August 10, 2022, were denied. The Veteran was granted service connection for these conditions based on direct evidence.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity neuropathy are granted secondary to the PACT Act grant of ovarian cancer.,The Veteran's right and left upper extremity neuropathy are also granted secondary to the PACT Act grant of ovarian cancer.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an updated medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy and its relationship to his service-connected degenerative disc disease.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left and right leg peripheral neuropathy due to a duty-to-assist error in failing to obtain a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's diagnosed conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right lower extremity neuropathy, finding that the Veteran's frostbite injury during active duty service is the cause of his current neuropathy.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II, and erectile dysfunction. The claims are based on the PACT Act presumption of exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's claim for an allowance for an automobile or other conveyance, and adaptive equipment is remanded due to a duty to assist error. The Board will obtain an opinion regarding the remaining function of the Veteran's hands and feet.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not result in the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status, leading to a denial of SMC.

The Board denied service connection for an upper back/cervical spine disorder, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.,There is no current evidence of a diagnosed condition for the claimed disorders.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability and a left axillary neuropathy due to incomplete compliance with previous remands.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to new evidence received since the last denial. The VA will obtain a medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any diagnosed conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and incomplete TERA memoranda. The Veteran's exposure history is unclear, and further development is needed.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and SMC based on loss of use of the bilateral lower extremities was denied because VA never received a qualifying request to review this decision.

The Board has dismissed the claims of service connection for left arm, right arm, left leg, right leg, left hand, and right hand neuropathy as these issues were previously appealed to the Board.