Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has remanded three issues related to service connection for cervical spine condition, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity due to inadequate VA examination opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error, specifically failing to provide a VA examination related to his diabetes mellitus. The issues of service connection for impotence, neuropathy, nephropathy, peripheral vascular disease, amputation of the right second toe, and amputation of the left lower leg below the knee are also remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the DM II claim.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability and physical disabilities separately result in her requiring regular aid and attendance from another person, warranting a higher rate of special monthly compensation (SMC).

The Veteran's voiding dysfunction, diabetes, peripheral neuropathy in each extremity, and MDD are being remanded for further evaluation.,Service connection for a left hip disorder is also being remanded as there is no indication that the condition is related to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions were denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claims, and the current diagnoses are not related to his active duty service.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Entitlement to service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus (diabetes), is remanded.,Entitlement to service connection for cirrhosis of the liver, to include as secondary to service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and peptic ulcer disease (hereinafter GERD) and/or as secondary diabetes, is remanded.,Entitlement to service connection for diabetes, to include as due to herbicide agent and pesticide / insecticide exposure, is remanded.,Entitlement to service connection for a nerve disorder, to include as due to radiation exposure, herbicide agent exposure, and pesticide / insecticide exposure, and/or secondary to diabetes, is remanded.,Entitlement to service connection for a respiratory disorder, to include residuals of a pulmonary embolism, to include as secondary to diabetes, is remanded.,Entitlement to service connection for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, to include as due to herbicide agent and pesticide / insecticide exposure and/or a secondary to diabetes, is remanded.,Entitlement to service connection for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, to include as due to herbicide agent and pesticide / insecticide exposure and/or as secondary to diabetes, is remanded.

The Board has found that additional evidence was added to the claims file after a December 2020 Supplemental Statement of the Case and remanded for further consideration.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 40 percent, but no higher. The Board denied a rating higher than 40 percent.,The Veteran's sciatic nerve peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities are both currently rated at 60 percent, but no higher. The Board granted these ratings.,The Veteran's femoral nerve peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is currently rated at 20 percent, while his left lower extremity is rated at 30 percent. The Board denied a rating higher than 30 percent for the left lower extremity and granted this rating for the right lower extremity.,The Veteran's femoral nerve peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity is currently rated at 20 percent, but no higher. The Board denied a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for GBS and CIDP, finding that there was no evidence of their onset during or related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for ulnar and median nerve neuropathy in both upper extremities due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, including VA treatment records and lay statements. The AOJ is instructed to obtain an addendum opinion from a medical professional regarding whether the Veteran's condition is related to his military service, particularly herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, diabetes, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's COPD is denied as it is not related to service, including asbestos exposure.,The Veteran's hypertension is denied as it is not secondary to PTSD or COPD.,The Veteran's diabetes is denied as it is not due to herbicide exposure and is not secondary to hypertension or COPD.,The Veteran's heart condition is denied as it is not related to service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is denied as it is not related to service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is denied as it is not related to service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's vision problems are denied as they are not related to diabetes or COPD.,The Veteran's stomach condition is denied as it is not related to diabetes or COPD.,The Veteran's nerve problems are denied as they are not related to diabetes or COPD.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities is denied as it is not related to diabetes or COPD.,The Veteran's colonic polyps are denied as they are not related to diabetes or COPD.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board has granted a separate 10 percent rating for his bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The appeal related to the initial rating for the right ankle disability was granted.

The Veteran's cervical strain, left and right upper extremity neuropathy (likely radiculopathy), and chronic myofascial pian syndrome of the cervical spine have been granted initial ratings. The issue of service connection for retrolisthesis of the cervical spine is being remanded.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations obtained in this case are inadequate and do not substantially comply with the remand directives. The appeal is being returned to VBA for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, Type II and associated disabilities have rendered him unable to engage in substantially gainful employment since January 3, 2014. He is also entitled to special monthly compensation at the housebound rate from January 3, 2014 to November 19, 2019 due to his need for regular aid and attendance of another person.

The Board has remanded the claims due to new evidence being added to the record, and the Veteran is entitled to a full review of his claims.

The appeals seeking a schedular rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, service connection for diabetes, and service connection for diabetic neuropathy of the facial area, right and left upper extremities, and right and left lower extremities are dismissed. Service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he and his representative requested to withdraw the appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to a lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives and the need for VA examinations.