Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's hypertension has been granted a 10% rating, effective from the date of the decision.,Both his right and left upper limb unspecified mononeuropathies have been granted a 10% rating, effective from the date of the decision.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy has been granted a 20% rating, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran is denied a higher rating for this condition.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy has been granted a 20% rating, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran is denied a higher rating for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and diabetes mellitus type 2 evaluations have been dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal of these issues.,Higher ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity (sciatic nerve), right lower extremity (sciatic nerve), left lower extremity (femoral nerve) associated with herbicide exposure, and right lower extremity (femoral nerve) associated with herbicide exposure have been granted. The Veteran's status post left ankle fracture evaluation has been denied.,The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a TDIU as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to November 15, 2021. From that date onwards, the Veteran is in receipt of a 100% disability rating for his PTSD.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection, as well as determining whether additional evidence is needed to establish a relationship between current conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a neurologic disability of the bilateral lower extremities, including sciatica and ilioinguinal neuropathy, due to or aggravated by her service-connected lumbosacral strain. The AOJ is instructed to obtain medical opinions addressing these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lower back disability, radiculopathies, and hearing loss, have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment since July 28, 2022. The Board has granted TDIU based on the combined effect of these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for high cholesterol, bilateral eye disability, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, right upper extremity neuropathy, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have all been denied. The evidence does not support a finding of current disabilities related to these conditions.,There is no persuasive medical evidence linking the Veteran's claimed conditions to his active-duty service.

The Veteran's initial ratings for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerve, as well as his Charcot's arthropathy of the right foot, have been granted. He also received separate ratings for partial amputation of the right foot 4th digit and metatarsal head resections due to chronic ulcers in the right feet (2nd and 3rd digits).

The Board has granted service connection for right and left lower extremity idiopathic small fiber neuropathy, finding that the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam during his active duty is causally linked to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a right knee disability and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to insufficient medical opinions. The Veteran's current disabilities are not presumed, and there is no clear and unmistakable evidence of permanent aggravation.

The Veteran's appeal regarding his increased rating for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremity and an automobile allowance is dismissed without prejudice due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's hip disabilities and left lower extremity neuropathy due to incomplete development. The specific reasons for the remand include needing an addendum opinion explaining the damage to the right hip joint, as well as examining the current severity of the hip disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, all secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with alcohol abuse disorder. The decision is based on evidence showing that obesity caused by the service-connected condition led to the development of sleep apnea, which in turn caused the peripheral neuropathies.

The Board denied service connection for low back disability, obstructive sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus type II, right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The reasons given were that the evidence did not establish a chronic disease during service or within one year of separation, and there was no causal relationship between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions to determine the nature and etiology of his left elbow condition, cubital tunnel syndrome, shoulder condition, back condition, knee condition, acquired psychiatric disorder, eye condition, neuropathy of the hands, and neuropathy of the feet.,The Veteran's appeal is also remanded for an examination and opinion regarding his bilateral cubital tunnel syndrome (claimed as carpal tunnel syndrome).,The Veteran's appeal is also remanded for an examination and opinion regarding his shoulder condition.,The Veteran's appeal is also remanded to obtain a medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his back condition.,The Veteran's appeals are all remanded for additional examinations and opinions to determine the nature and etiology of his knee, eye, hand, and foot conditions.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (cyclothymic disorder and PTSD) appeal is also remanded for an examination and opinion regarding its etiology.,The Veteran's appeals are all remanded for additional examinations and opinions to determine the nature and etiology of his eye condition.,The Veteran's appeals are all remanded for additional examinations and opinions to determine the nature and etiology of his hand and foot conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for agoraphobia, claimed as PTSD. Service connection was also denied for diabetes mellitus, type II and its secondary conditions (erectile dysfunction and peripheral neuropathy).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities due to outstanding medical records and lack of cooperation from the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities due to exposure to chemicals/defoliants during active duty in Korea. The AOJ is instructed to verify the Veteran's claimed exposures, issue a formal finding if possible, and then refer the case to an appropriate clinician for medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the conditions with consideration of the reported exposures.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for ratings in excess of 20 percent for his diabetic peripheral neuropathy due to issues with defining what constitutes 'moderately severe' incomplete paralysis and considering whether VA should obtain private treatment records from a non-VA provider.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus and remanded the remaining issues. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional medical evidence, including treatment records from private providers, and to schedule examinations for the appellant's right knee disability, diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathies of the feet, left elbow disability, and TDIU.