Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the issue of TDIU prior to August 3, 2021 due to a need for further action by the AOJ. The AOJ is instructed to assign ratings and effective dates for peripheral neuropathy and vascular disease before readjudicating the claim.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for service-connected RLE and LLE peripheral neuropathy, as well as his TDIU claim, are being remanded due to a duty to assist error. A new VA examination is needed to assess the current extent and severity of his peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error in obtaining an adequate opinion regarding whether the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is related to his service. The AOJ will obtain a new medical opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for spinocerebellar ataxia due to in-service toxic exposure. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy is also granted, but the Veteran's claim was reopened on new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, DM, and diabetic neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since June 25, 2020. The effective date for TDIU is granted as of that date.

The Board has denied service connection for microscopic polyangiitis and demyelinating polyneuropathy, finding insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service or toxic exposure risk activities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Diabetes Mellitus Type II, Blurred Vision Cataract as secondary to Diabetes Mellitus Type II, Peripheral Neuropathy of the Right Lower Extremity, and Peripheral Neuropathy of the Left Lower Extremity is granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for Hypertension is also granted due to the PACT Act.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for dizziness as secondary to Diabetes Mellitus Type II is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for reducing his disability rating, increasing the rating, and for a total disability based on individual unemployability have been dismissed due to withdrawal of all issues by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to toxic exposure, including diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of upper and lower extremities, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and prostate cancer. The VA will obtain medical opinions regarding whether these conditions are related to exposure to toxins during service.

Service connection is granted for Parkinson's disease due to herbicide agent exposure in Thailand.,Secondary service connection is granted for left eye change with rapid eye movement/double vision as related to the service-connected Parkinson's disease.,Service connection is denied for a left or right eye disability, other than left eye change with rapid eye movement/double vision.,Service connection is granted for porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) due to herbicide agent exposure in Thailand.,Service connection is denied for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has granted service connection for skin disability, respiratory disability, diverticulitis, digestive system disability, pancreatic-intestinal system disability, and neurological disability. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible lay accounts and a supportive medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims due to procedural issues and the need for additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between the claimed conditions and service, particularly lung cancer.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of April 11, 2023. The Board granted a TDIU based on the combined rating of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to a lack of proper consideration of his exposure to radiation during service. The AOJ is instructed to provide the Veteran with notice of his right to a hearing and forward all relevant documents, including a July 2013 memo about ionizing radiation exposure at Fort Bliss, to the VA Under Secretary for Health for a dose estimate.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities as there is no evidence linking these conditions to active service.

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.,Service connection for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange during service in Vietnam.,Service connection for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange during service in Vietnam.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy since October 17, 2022. Prior to this date, the Veteran's condition was rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected type II diabetes mellitus and associated polyneuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors. The Board finds that VA is obligated to provide an examination or medical opinion in a claim of service connection when the record contains competent evidence of a current disability or persistent or recurrent symptoms of a disability, and the record indicates that the disability may be associated with active service.

From May 9, 2016, forward, a 40-percent evaluation for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity is granted.,From May 9, 2016, forward, a 50-percent evaluation for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity is granted.,From May 9, 2016, to March 29, 2017, a 40-percent evaluation for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is granted.,From May 9, 2016, to March 29, 2017, a 40-percent evaluation for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity is granted.