Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy and radiculopathy of the upper and lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and service.

Service connection is granted for diabetes mellitus, type II and coronary artery disease. Service connection is also granted for chronic kidney disease, right eye diabetic retinopathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to service-connected diabetes. Service connection is granted for congestive heart failure as secondary to coronary artery disease. The case is remanded for additional opinions on toxic optic neuropathy with altitudinal visual field defect and a heart disorder other than coronary artery disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a brain tumor and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to environmental exposures during service. The claims are being reviewed on a de novo basis as the AOJ implicitly found new and relevant evidence had been received.

The Veteran's skin disorder/ringworm of the lower extremities and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathies are granted as service connected. The right upper and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy claims are remanded for further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased initial ratings for his right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating than the currently assigned 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU and DEA benefits was denied as the earliest discernible communication that constitutes a TDIU claim did not arise until November 6, 2017.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure, as there is a lack of sufficient rationale in the previous opinion regarding whether the condition is related to the conceded herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed skin disabilities of the feet, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and bilateral hearing loss disability are not service-connected. The Board found no evidence to support a connection between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for DM2 and CAD are granted. The Board also finds that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents in Thailand, which is sufficient to grant service connection for his peripheral neuropathy conditions and kidney disorder as secondary to his now-service-connected DM2.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for coronary artery disease, diabetes, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy have been denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA rating criteria.

The Board denied service connection for right and left upper extremity neuropathy, including carpal tunnel, as well as right and left lower extremity neuropathy, all due to asbestos exposure. The Veteran's claims were not based on a presumption of service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to a lack of a medical nexus opinion regarding the connection between the Veteran's current disabilities and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for right lower extremity and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for restoration of a 20% rating for cervical spine injury with traumatic degenerative arthritis from August 23, 2019 is granted. The claims for higher ratings and service connection are all remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease, bilateral upper and lower extremity neuropathy, diabetes mellitus type II, and hearing loss, have rendered him unable to engage in substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether his service-connected conditions preclude him from working.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to a lack of a medical nexus opinion regarding the connection between the Veteran's current disabilities and his military service.

The Veteran's low back condition is remanded for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of her condition.,The Veteran's asthma is remanded for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of her condition.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder and PTSD, is remanded for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of her condition.,The Veteran's left shoulder impingement syndrome with arthritis is remanded for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of her condition.,The Veteran's right shoulder arthritis and muscle spasms are remanded for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of her condition.,The Veteran's carpal tunnel and peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity, is remanded for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of her condition.,The Veteran's vertigo is remanded for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of her condition.,The Veteran's left knee condition is remanded for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of her condition.,The Veteran's right knee condition is remanded for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of her condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding service connection for renal dysfunction.,Prior to March 10, 2022, the Veteran's sciatic diabetic peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities was evaluated at a 10 percent rating. From March 10, 2022 to June 10, 2022, his sciatic diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity (RLE) and femoral diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity were both rated at a 20 percent disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding service connection for the cause of death and aggravation of service-connected conditions. The Veteran's exposure to herbicides is now presumed under a new law.

The Board has found that the development conducted does not comply with the October 2021 Board remand directives and has therefore ordered additional VA examinations to determine the current level of severity of all impairment resulting from service-connected residuals, lacerations, left hand and left middle, ring, and little fingers.