Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

Service connection is granted for urinary incontinence as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine degenerative arthritis.,Service connection is granted for chronic fatigue syndrome as secondary to service-connected COPD with obstructive sleep apnea.,The Veteran's pleuritic chest pain claim remains pending and requires further examination and opinion.,The heart condition claim, including coronary artery disease and hypertensive heart disease, is remanded due to the inextricably intertwined nature of the issues. A new opinion is needed regarding whether the heart condition is directly related to service.,Gastrointestinal disorder (including gastric ulcers and gastroenteritis but excluding IBS and GERD) claim remains pending and requires further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for further development due to concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic and incomplete medical records.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome were not incurred or aggravated during service.,There is conflicting medical evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current disabilities. The Board finds that the July 2022 VA examiner’s opinion is more probative on this question.

The Board has remanded several claims, including service connection for various conditions and a higher disability rating for herniated nucleus pulposus. The Veteran is requesting additional examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons or bases in the decision, and additional development is needed. The Veteran should be provided another opportunity to submit a completed VA Form 21-8940 and updated treatment records.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU effective August 1, 2008. The decision found that his service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following any substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities, but granted it for the right and left lower extremities. The decision is based on the Veteran's herbicide agent exposure during service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back disability, right lower extremity neuropathy, and left lower extremity neuropathy, finding that these conditions had their onset in service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to scheduling issues and a hospitalization during the last scheduled VA examination. The Veteran is required to have VA examinations rescheduled.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of diabetes mellitus, type II, fibromyalgia, a cardiovascular condition, right lower extremity neuropathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded. The Board finds that additional development is needed to address the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension have been granted service connection on an accrued basis due to in-service herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's chronic kidney disease has also been granted service connection on an accrued basis as secondary to his diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for peripheral neuropathy contended to be due to a March 2014 aneurysm repair at a VA medical facility prior to April 12, 2021.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to their death. The appeal for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance was also dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to additional evidence added after the September 2021 Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's right upper extremity ulnar neuropathy was granted a 30% rating from May 31, 2022. The condition has been rated as moderate incomplete paralysis of the ulnar nerve.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right lower extremity and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that there was no evidence of early-onset peripheral neuropathy within a year after exposure to herbicide agents in service. The Board also found that the medical evidence did not support a finding of service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for a residual scar on his left axilla area and left upper extremity ulnar and median nerve neuropathy are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for his right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathies, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating based on current symptomology.

The Board has remanded the claims for separate ratings for bilateral upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the radial and ulnar nerves due to insufficient evidence. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it may be significantly impacted by the outcome of the rating issue.

The Board has denied the Veteran's appeals for service connection of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, arthritis of the left shoulder, arthritis of the back, right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, kidney condition, bladder condition, testicle condition, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The evidence received since the June 2014 rating decision is not new and material.