Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has granted initial ratings of 40 percent for right upper extremity diabetic neuropathy, 30 percent for left upper extremity diabetic neuropathy, and 20 percent each for right and left lower extremity diabetic neuropathy (sciatic nerve) effective December 9, 2021. Separate compensable ratings are denied for the femoral nerves.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, finding that the symptoms did not meet the criteria for moderately severe incomplete paralysis.

The appeal for additional attorney fees based on the past-due benefits awarded in a December 2020 rating decision is dismissed as the appellant no longer wishes to pursue the appeal and has already received the payment.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes and diabetic peripheral neuropathy in the lower extremities on a presumptive basis under the PACT Act, as the Veteran served in Thailand during the Vietnam era. Service connection is also granted on a secondary basis for diabetic peripheral neuropathy in the right and left lower extremities.

The Board has remanded the case due to duty-to-assist errors, including incomplete VA treatment records and missing service personnel/service treatment records. The Veteran's claim for ALS is also being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to a potential relationship between the Veteran's neuropathy and his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for left calf fasciculations and dysesthesia, as well as his request for TDIU, were both denied. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 5312 and 8525.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is granted as service connected due to its onset in service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities due to inadequate previous medical opinions and lack of substantial compliance with prior directives.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for aphasia, left ulnar nerve neuropathy, and memory loss due to inadequate medical opinions. The claims are being returned for further evaluation.

The claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been granted by the agency of original jurisdiction. The claims for other conditions have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete medical opinions and outstanding records.,The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the respiratory condition, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities.,The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) and secondary service connection claims.,The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical opinions regarding the right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.,The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) and secondary service connection claims.,The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical opinions regarding the right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.,The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) and secondary service connection claims.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for coronary artery disease and service connection for peripheral neuropathy, upper extremities was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to February 3, 2011, but remanded the case due to insufficient medical examination records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes and diabetic peripheral neuropathy in the lower extremities are granted due to exposure to herbicides during service, as recognized by the PACT Act of 2022. Service connection is also granted on a secondary basis for the right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, resulting in the grant of TDIU. The criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension have not been met.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a left knee injury and CIDP were remanded due to the need for further development. The effective date for the award of service connection for residuals of a left knee injury is set at December 8, 2017.

The Veteran's bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities was not shown in service or for many years thereafter, and is not otherwise etiologically related to active-duty service. Therefore, his claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that his TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient evidence and a need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's attorney withdrew all claims of service connection for various conditions, including polysubstance dependence, bipolar disorder, PTSD, bilateral foot peripheral neuropathy, sleep apnea, and renal failure. The Board dismissed these claims as the Veteran had withdrawn them.