Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for various conditions, including xerosis cutis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), intestinal parasite, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral elbow lateral epicondylitis are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The AOJ must consider this new evidence in their readjudication process.

The claims for service connection for right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy remain denied as new and material evidence has not been received.,The claim for an increased rating for PTSD remains denied, with the Veteran's current disability rated at 70 percent.

The Board denied service connection for thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease, tinnitus, and bilateral lower extremity sciatica (now claimed as peripheral neuropathy). The most probative evidence did not show a link between these conditions and the Veteran's service.,The Board also found that there was no continuity of symptomatology related to arthritis of the low back since service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than September 5, 2014 for the grant of service connection for actinic keratosis and for initial compensable rating for actinic keratosis are denied. The remaining issues have been remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea secondary to PTSD and a rating of 20 percent for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerve. The case is remanded for an addendum medical opinion regarding erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's alcohol abuse disorder and sleep apnea are aggravated by his service-connected conditions, leading to the grant of service connection for these issues. Service connection was also granted for peripheral neuropathy secondary to alcohol abuse.

The Veteran's diabetes with erectile dysfunction is not rated higher than 20 percent. The Veteran's RUE and LUE peripheral neuropathy are each rated at 20 percent, effective from February 19, 2016. Ratings for the right and left femoral nerve peripheral neuropathy remain at 20 percent. Ratings for the right and left sciatic nerve peripheral neuropathy are granted at 40 percent as of September 28, 2022. The Veteran's lower extremity peripheral vascular disease is remanded.

The Veteran's lung cancer, diabetes mellitus, and diabetic polyneuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are granted as service-connected due to exposure to herbicides during active duty.

The Board denied service connection for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, finding insufficient evidence to support a secondary or direct relationship to the Veteran's service-connected spine conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected left peroneal nerve neuropathy, residual of gunshot wound, is granted a 40 percent disability rating from October 4, 2001, to September 2, 2008. A higher rating is denied for the period after September 3, 2008.

The Veteran withdrew all of her remaining claims and appeals pending before the Board, including service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a rating in excess of 30 percent for right ulnar traumatic neuropathy, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for residual tender scar, right elbow.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to secondary service connection being raised by his testimony. The AOJ must arrange VA examinations to consider both direct and secondary service connection, including assessing whether any current conditions are related to active duty service or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for heart disease, sleep apnea, and peripheral neuropathy of both upper and lower extremities due to their relationship with the Veteran's military service. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy has been reopened and granted. The Board found new and material evidence to support the reopening of this claim, but denied secondary service connection for right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome as it is not related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for deviated nasal septum and iliohypogastric/genitofemoral neuropathy, status-post inguinal hernia repair surgery were denied as the evidence did not show that his conditions warranted a compensable rating.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted as due to herbicide exposure. However, the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities is denied as there is no evidence linking it to his active duty service or his service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, neuropathy of the left upper extremity, and neuropathy of the right upper extremity are remanded for further development. The lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease is also remanded for a new rating determination.

The Board dismissed all appeals as the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and prostate gland disability, as these issues are intertwined. The VA examiner is requested to provide an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, considering medical journal evidence cited in the December 2022 Appellate Brief.