Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2024

The Veteran's ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy affecting the sciatic and femoral nerves in both lower extremities were restored from July 1, 2020.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection due to duty assist errors. The issues of antecedent granulomatous disease, lumbar and thoracic spondylosis and strain, left knee degenerative joint disease, right knee degenerative joint disease, tremors, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy are all remanded for further development.

The Board has dismissed all service connection appeals due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is rated at 20 percent and denied a higher rating.,Both the left lower extremity femoral nerve and sciatic nerve peripheral neuropathies are rated at 20 percent and denied a higher rating.

The claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease with spinal stenosis, hepatitis B, osteoarthritis with avascular necrosis left hip, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy right lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy left lower extremity are all denied as new and relevant evidence has not been submitted to support the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for residuals of scars, left hand is denied. The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for ulnar neuropathy affecting the 4th and 5th fingers of the left hand prior to October 10, 2019, and in excess of 70 percent thereafter is also denied.

The Veteran's femoral nerve peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremity is rated at 20 percent, but no higher, throughout the appeal period.

The Board has remanded several claims related to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, including issues for increased ratings and secondary radiculopathy. The claims are being returned for further development due to inadequate examination reports and incomplete treatment records.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and related disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation. Service connection is also being remanded for peripheral neuropathy of the right hand, adenocarcinoma polyp in the colon, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including erectile dysfunction and other conditions like coronary artery disease, have caused him to require the aid of another person for daily living needs prior to November 20, 2019. After that date, he is not entitled to SMC at the housebound rate due to his diabetes and residuals being considered a single disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he is not unable to secure or follow any substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence to support herbicide exposure in Korea and that the conditions were not related to service.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and pre-diabetic disability, but has remanded them due to new evidence. The claim for a higher rating for PTSD remains pending, and TDIU is inextricably intertwined with all other issues.

The Board denied service connection for multiple myeloma, chronic renal insufficiency, hypothyroidism, type II diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and a heart disability as the evidence did not show these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to new evidence added by VA. The Veteran was given an opportunity to respond with a SSOC, but chose to have the case sent back to the AOJ.

The Veteran's service-connected type II diabetes mellitus and its associated peripheral neuropathy conditions are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal of the effective date for her increased disability evaluation for right carpal tunnel syndrome with peripheral neuropathy of the right arm was dismissed as a valid appeal was not submitted.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection was denied. The decision upheld the current rating of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II, but granted separate ratings for diabetic nephropathy, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and peripheral vascular disease.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and related neuropathies of the arms and legs are granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and related neuropathies of the arms and legs are granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes.