Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's DMII is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, and the issues with his right and left lower extremity neuropathy are each rated at 10 percent.,The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the issues of increased ratings for DMII and both lower extremity neuropathies.

The Board is remanding the issues of whether the reduction in rating from 40 percent to 20 percent for diabetic peripheral neuropathy, sciatic nerve, right lower extremity and left lower extremity was proper. The issues are also being remanded due to their inextricability with the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were denied effective January 14, 2022.,All related issues of entitlement to earlier effective dates have been denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently assigned a noncompensable rating, and the claim for a compensable evaluation is denied.,There is no evidence of a current left hip disability during or approximate to the period on appeal. The claim for service connection for a left hip condition is denied.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder with alcohol dependency is remanded as there was no specific assertion of PTSD and VA examination is needed to clarify the nature and etiology of the claimed psychiatric disorder, including whether it is secondary to or caused by a service-connected disability.,The Veteran's hypertension claim is remanded due to his assertion that it is secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder. Service connection for diabetes mellitus (to include as secondary to hypertension) is also remanded based on the Veteran's assertion of its secondary relationship to hypertension.,Right and left lower extremity diabetic neuropathy are remanded as they are claimed to be secondary to diabetes mellitus, which is itself a claim that requires further development.,The Veteran's right and left lower extremity diabetic neuropathy claims are remanded based on the same reasoning as his diabetes mellitus claim.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, bilateral leg and foot swelling, hearing loss, tinnitus, and a chipped upper front tooth due to duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran is also requested to provide evidence of exposure to herbicide agents in service.

The Veteran's left ulnar neuropathy and coronary artery disease status-post coronary artery bypass graft have been granted increased ratings, with the left ulnar neuropathy receiving a maximum 50% rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions regarding service connection for left thigh numbness and left lower limb neuropathy, including a lack of consideration of causation and aggravation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, right knee disability, and left knee disability have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has also been denied.

The Board denied service connection for various knee and nerve disorders, finding no current diagnoses during the appeal period.,Service connection was also denied for an earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for ulnar neuropathy at the elbow, right forearm numbness and tingling, right hand joint pain and numbness, pes planus, bilateral, pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), left shoulder pain, and right shoulder pain are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.,The Veteran's ulnar neuropathy at the elbow, right forearm numbness and tingling, right hand joint pain and numbness, pes planus, bilateral, pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), left shoulder pain, and right shoulder pain are being remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for right lower extremity and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine strain.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various peripheral neuropathy conditions associated with diabetes mellitus type II are being remanded due to the need for further examination to address his claimed loss of use and quadriplegic incomplete status.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral lower extremity neuropathy has caused significant problems with mobility, leading to the grant of an automobile allowance and dismissal of the specially adapted housing claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors, requiring additional development and examination.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for facial neuropathy of the seventh (facial) cranial nerve, finding that the Veteran's symptoms most closely approximated moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment, as his conditions are not severe enough to qualify under VA regulations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for neuropathy of the left upper extremity, hand, foot and mouth disease, and degenerative arthritis of the right ankle as there is no current diagnosis or evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy, finding that the evidence is approximately evenly balanced as to whether his condition is related to his active duty service. The decision supports a causal relationship between the Veteran's bilateral peripheral neuropathy and presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Veteran's service connection claims for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, as well as skin cancer, are granted. The claim for skin cancer is remanded due to a lack of opinion on direct service connection.