Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypothyroidism, ischemic heart disease, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy have been granted with initial evaluations of 30 percent each.

The Veteran's right lower extremity neuropathy, specifically sciatic nerve neuropathy, is rated at a disability rating of 40 percent.,The Veteran's left lower extremity neuropathy, specifically sciatic nerve neuropathy, is rated at a disability rating of 40 percent.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions, including PTSD, were denied effective from the date of receipt of his claim in September 1989. The Board found that an earlier effective date was not warranted due to the finality of the prior decisions and the lack of a valid appeal.

The Board found that the reduction in ratings for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerve from 20% to 10% was not proper due to insufficient evidence showing actual improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions.

The Veteran's claims for TDIU and DEA prior to September 7, 2016 are remanded due to a failure to consider extraschedular TDIU on the merits.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities have been reopened. The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received, allowing the reopening of these claims. However, the claims are still pending as they need to be remanded for a VA opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's condition.

The Board has determined that new evidence was submitted and must be reviewed by the AOJ before a final decision can be made on your claims for service connection.

The Veteran is entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to January 31, 2020.

The Veteran's left foot disability, including a drop and peripheral neuropathy, is being remanded for further evaluation due to new contentions and diagnoses. The VA examiner will need to provide an opinion on the etiology of these conditions, particularly in relation to his diabetes mellitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to January 28, 2019.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting findings regarding the Veteran's service in Vietnam and his exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran needs further research to verify his testimony about traveling with the U.S.S. Paul Revere to Cam Ranh Bay and up the Mekong River.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, erectile dysfunction, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and hypertension as related to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand prior to August 10, 2022.

The Board has granted service connection for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to diabetes mellitus, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's neck injury and upper extremity nerve pain are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a direct relationship to service or a service-connected condition.,There is no clear evidence that the Veteran's current conditions began during service, were caused by an in-service injury, or are related to his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Board has vacated the January 2024 decision and granted increased disability ratings for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction (Nehmer Granted), hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and thrombosis. The Veteran also received SMC based on aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, Parkinsonism, and prostate cancer due to herbicide exposure during service. The PACT Act requires VA to provide a VA examination and obtain a medical opinion addressing the possibility of a nexus between the claimed disabilities and the TERA.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for earlier effective dates for service connection of MGUS and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities has been granted.,The Board also remanded several issues related to higher disability ratings for various types of peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has denied service connection for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not onset within a year after separation from service. Service connection was also denied for atrial fibrillation due to PTSD. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the heart disorder.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left-hand degenerative arthritis and bilateral idiopathic peripheral autonomic neuropathy, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his time in service.