Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including right and left shin splints, arthritis of the upper extremities, peripheral neuropathy in different limbs, a pain disorder (fibromyalgia, chronic pain syndrome, myofascial pain syndrome), and anemia. The reasons provided include lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's claims for right shin splints, left shin splints, arthritis of the upper extremities, peripheral neuropathy in different limbs, a pain disorder (fibromyalgia, chronic pain syndrome, myofascial pain syndrome), and anemia have all been denied by the Board. The reasons provided include lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal of an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder prior to July 27, 2022 is remanded.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for left lateral femoral neuropathy and right lateral femoral neuropathy are remanded.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for left shoulder surgery scars is remanded.,The Veteran's appeal of an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for left shoulder nerve damage is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for sleep apnea is remanded.,The Veteran's appeals of ratings in excess of 20 percent for the residuals of left (minor) shoulder surgery based upon limitation of motion and impairment of the humerus are remanded.,The Veteran's appeal of a rating in excess of 10 percent for sciatic neuropathy of the left lower extremity is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities due to potential exposure to burn pits during his service in the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations. The VA is required to provide a medical opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions based on total potential exposure through all applicable military deployments, including the synergistic effect of all TERA.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and separate compensable ratings are being remanded due to the need for further development of the evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral leg disability, including neuropathy, as it found no evidence of in-service injury or disease that led to these conditions and concluded that any current disabilities were not incurred during military service.

The Veteran's knee and spine conditions are remanded for further examination. His respiratory, heart, diabetes, and peripheral neuropathy disabilities are also remanded due to the similar nature of the issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records and insufficient medical opinions. The Veteran died from COPD, which is not related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to newly submitted evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a sleep disorder, low back disability, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity due to incomplete compliance with prior remand directives. The Veteran's National Guard service dates need to be verified, and his service treatment records should be obtained. An opinion is needed regarding whether any current sleep disorder(s), including sleep apnea, are related to active duty or ACDUTRA. Additionally, an opinion is required on the nature of the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating as he was only managed by a restricted diet and had no other complications.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on A&A or TDIU due to his ability to work and maintain employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left lower extremity diabetic neuropathy and radiculopathy, finding that the current 10 percent ratings adequately compensated him for these disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for sensorimotor peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, as secondary to his service-connected left knee degenerative arthritis. Additional evidence was added after the May 2020 Supplemental Statement of the Case and a remand is necessary to ensure all relevant records are considered.

The Board has granted effective dates of March 22, 2013 for the grant of a 40 percent disability rating for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and lumbar degenerative disc disease.

The Veteran's upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathies are currently rated at 20 percent and 30 percent, respectively. Higher ratings are denied.,The Veteran's lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathies are currently rated at 80 percent each. Higher ratings are denied.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity due to a lack of an opinion regarding whether it is related to an in-service back injury. Additional development is needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of his upper and lower extremities due to in-service herbicide exposure. The case is sent back for VA examinations to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has found that there are outstanding records and the Veteran should be afforded VA examinations for his service connection claims. The appeals are being remanded to allow for further development.