Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has determined that the VA examinations provided do not substantially comply with the May 2022 remand directives and another remand to obtain a new VA examination is necessary.

The Board has dismissed all appeals regarding service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy of the right foot, and peripheral neuropathy of the left foot due to the Veteran's death.

The Board determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including left ankle disorder, neck disorder, bilateral upper extremity neuropathy, left-sided neurological disorder, left shoulder disorder, left arm disorder, right arm disorder, left hip disorder, left knee disorder, left foot disorder, right leg disorder, and back disorder, were not incurred or aggravated by active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected pes planus and his claimed left foot neuropathy. The case will be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for diabetes mellitus, right lower extremity neuropathy, left lower extremity neuropathy, and erectile dysfunction have been withdrawn. The Board dismissed these claims as the Veteran explicitly requested their withdrawal.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities on his employability. The Board requested additional development, including a VA examination to assess the impact of all his conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and evaluation, including obtaining updated VA treatment records, a medical opinion on secondary service connection, and an examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's radiculopathy.

The Veteran's RLE and LLE diabetic peripheral neuropathy have been granted a 20 percent rating for the period from November 27, 2017 to November 24, 2020.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bipolar disorder and a neurological disorder of the left upper extremity. The claim for bipolar disorder was not reopened, while the claim for the neurological disorder of the left upper extremity is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left-hand disability, including osteoarthritis, Dupuytren's contracture, and peripheral neuropathy, finding that it was less likely than not incurred in or caused by service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed to be related to exposure to herbicide agents in Guam during service. The Veteran's diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity are all found to be proximately due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

For the entire period on appeal, a disability rating of 20 percent for peripheral neuropathy (femoral nerve) of each the left and right lower extremity is granted.,Entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected peripheral neuropathy (sciatic nerve) of the left and right lower extremities remains remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities has been granted initial ratings, with effective dates ranging from July 10, 2007 to July 9, 2021. The appeal is remanded for further consideration on other issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral eye disability, bilateral kidney disability, erectile dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities as there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The appeal for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus type II is dismissed.,PTSD has been granted an initial 70 percent rating, but no higher.,Right lower extremity neuropathy of the sciatic nerve remains at 20 percent.,Left lower extremity neuropathy of the sciatic nerve remains at 20 percent.,Right lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve has been granted a 20 percent rating.,Left lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve has been granted a 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not service-connected as it did not have onset during or within one year after separation from service and there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure that could cause the current condition.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is not service-connected as there is no evidence showing its onset during service or being related to an in-service event, injury, or disease. The diagnosis was made post-service.,There is no diagnosed bilateral eye condition due to service or service-connected disease or injury.,The Veteran's kidney condition is not service-connected as it did not have onset during service and there is no evidence showing its relation to a service-connected disability.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is not service-connected as it did not have onset during service, is not secondary to a service-connected disability, and there is no evidence of in-service exposure that could cause the condition.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity is not service-connected as it did not have onset during service, is not secondary to a service-connected disability, and there is no evidence of in-service exposure that could cause the condition.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity is not service-connected as it did not have onset during service, is not secondary to a service-connected disability, and there is no evidence of in-service exposure that could cause the condition.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is not service-connected as it did not have onset during service, is not secondary to a service-connected disability, and there is no evidence of in-service exposure that could cause the condition.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity is not service-connected as it did not have onset during service, is not secondary to a service-connected disability, and there is no evidence of in-service exposure that could cause the condition.,There is no diagnosed skeletal arthritis or gout due to service or service-connected disease or injury.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, tinnitus, erectile dysfunction, and left ear hearing loss, prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation. As his combined rating is at least 70 percent due to these conditions, he has been granted total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's TBI residuals, diabetes mellitus, peripheral polyneuropathy of the bilateral legs, gastroesophageal reflux disorder, and respiratory disability are granted. The Veteran's left eye photophobia and right eye photophobia are denied.