Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's left upper extremity neuropathy was initially rated at 30% prior to October 25, 2019, and then increased to 60% thereafter. The right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy received a 70% rating for the entire initial period on appeal.,The Veteran's lower extremities (sciatic and femoral) were also rated at various levels of disability throughout the appeals process.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for the claims of a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative thoracolumbar spine, a 10 percent for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, a 10 percent for right shoulder anterior cruciate degenerative joint disease, and a 10 percent for a sinus condition. The appeal is also dismissed for service connection claims including bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, right hip arthralgia, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity and left lower extremity, obstructive sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as adjustment disorder and PTSD).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities due to incomplete records of his reserve service.

The Veteran's left ulnar entrapment neuropathy at the elbow has been rated as a 30 percent disability since September 15, 2020.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities has not resulted in loss of use, foot drop, or other severe impairment that would warrant a higher rating.,The evidence does not support an increase to a higher rating for the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and an earlier effective date were dismissed. The Board also remanded the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to March 1, 2019.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity neuropathy are rated at a 40 percent rating, but no higher, based on moderately severe incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.

The Board has remanded the appeal for further development and review of additional evidence, including VA and private treatment records. The issues on appeal include effective date determinations and service connection claims.

The Board denied service connection for various ankle, knee, hip, migraine, and eye conditions. The Veteran's current diagnoses were not related to his active service.,The VA examiner provided medical opinions stating that the Veteran's diagnosed conditions are more likely due to normal aging or unrelated to service.

The Board has determined that the VA opinions are inadequate to address whether the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, was caused or aggravated by his service-connected left knee and left ankle disabilities with obesity as an intermediate step. Therefore, another remand is required to obtain a supplemental opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for the conditions listed, with presumptive exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has denied service connection for left upper extremity and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, as well as a sleep disturbance. The appeal regarding irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is being remanded due to insufficient evidence.,Service connection was not granted for the Veteran's IBS because there is no direct link between his in-service herbicide exposure and the condition.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is rated at 20 percent effective July 26, 2019. The Board denied higher ratings for the condition and also denied increased ratings for erectile dysfunction and bilateral diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to exposure to herbicide agents during his military service in Guam. The VA is required to provide a VA examination and medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, including peripheral neuropathy and PVD, as well as any acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as his service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has found that new and relevant evidence has been received to readjudicate the claim of service connection for diabetes. The Veteran's testimony during his August 2022 hearing is both new and relevant to the question of service connection for diabetes.

The motion to revise the October 2018 rating decision was granted, granting service connection for diabetes mellitus and diabetic peripheral sensory neuropathy of both lower extremities due to a history of diabetes. The appeal is mixed as some issues were granted while others were not.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and his military service, including herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased evaluations have been withdrawn by her authorized representative.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the promulgation of a decision.