Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's hypertension is granted from August 10, 2022. Service connection for right lower extremity, right upper extremity, and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure (PACT Act) is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that it is related to the appellant's service-connected Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS).

The appeals for service connection of diabetes mellitus type II, sleep apnea, posttraumatic stress disorder, nerve damage/diabetic neuropathy in the left lower extremity, and nerve damage/diabetic neuropathy in the right lower extremity have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's right upper extremity and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have been granted initial disability ratings of 50 percent, each. The left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy has also been granted an initial disability rating of 40 percent. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities has been granted.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to support the Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and thus remands the case for further development.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on loss of use of the hands and/or feet is denied because peripheral neuropathy, a condition not service-connected during this period, does not meet the criteria for SMC.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection due to lack of evidence supporting a direct or presumptive basis for diabetes mellitus and diabetic neuropathy, as well as lack of herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left lower extremity CIDP due to insufficient examination regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current conditions and his in-service injury. The issues are also related to a secondary theory of service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral early-onset peripheral neuropathies due to potential exposure to chemicals during training at Fort Benning, Georgia in 1973. The Veteran is required to provide more details about his exposure and a VA examination will be conducted to determine if these conditions are related to his service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, CAD, diabetes, and related neuropathies, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) effective from October 26, 2020.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for various ratings and effective dates due to the appellant's death.

Effective June 29, 2021, the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and hypothyroidism have been granted as secondary to Agent Orange exposure.,Effective June 29, 2021, the Veteran's diabetic neuropathy of various extremities and diabetic nephropathy are also granted as secondary to his diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's low back disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy and peripheral neuropathies are each rated at 40 percent prior to March 22, 2018. The claim is granted for these ratings.

The Veteran's left (minor) upper extremity peripheral neuropathy and right lower extremity sciatica have been granted increased ratings of 30 percent and 20 percent, respectively, effective April 29, 2019.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities due to a lack of an examination and insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's left ulnar neuropathy and mild carpal tunnel syndrome are rated at 10 percent, with no higher rating granted.,The Board is remanding the claim of service connection for right hand peripheral neuropathy due to lack of sufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in the physical loss or permanent loss of use of one or both hands or feet, nor does it meet any other criteria for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or adaptive equipment. The Board denied the claim as there is no evidence of permanent loss of use of a hand or foot due to service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are being remanded due to new evidence received since the last decision.,New evidence has been submitted regarding potential in-service chemical exposure leading to current conditions. The claim is being readjudicated.

The Veteran's death was due to suicide caused by his service-connected back pain, which the Board cannot determine is related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error in failing to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding the appellant's right lower extremity disability, including peripheral neuropathy and drop foot. The examiner must provide opinions on whether these conditions are related to service-connected DDD of the lumbar spine or herbicide agent exposure.