Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy and bilateral lens implantation due to cataracts. The VA will need to provide an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions, specifically addressing whether they are related to service or any exposure to gas during service.

The Veteran's bilateral upper and lower extremity neuropathies are rated at 20 percent, but he contends they are more severe. The Board finds the April 2022 VA examination inadequate for adjudicative purposes due to inconsistencies between the examiner's assessment of nerve severity and functional impairment.

The Board has granted the petition to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy. The claims for service connection for skin cancer and sleep apnea are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU/SMC based on his peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities due to incomplete compliance with prior remand instructions.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted service connection based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his Vietnam service. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities is remanded due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities as secondary to diabetes mellitus type 2, and low kidney function as secondary to diabetes mellitus type 2.,There is no evidence that any in-service exposure to herbicide agents occurred.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for award of a TDIU, and his service-connected disabilities preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that an effective date earlier than July 2, 2019, for the award of service connection for all eleven peripheral neuropathy disabilities cannot be granted based on the filing of a formal claim within one year from the intent to file.

The Board has remanded four issues related to the Veteran's service-connected peripheral artery disease and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities due to a lack of recent VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, left lower extremity, right upper extremity, and left upper extremity on a presumptive basis due to exposure to toxic herbicides during active duty in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin condition, initial ratings for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and other issues were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence to support the Veteran's claim for service connection for his skin condition or for higher ratings for his diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, ischemic heart disease, and right eye melanoma are denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during his active service or are otherwise related to any in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of the claims as they are now moot.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to July 28, 2016, for the award of service connection for bilateral upper extremity neuropathies with hand arthralgia.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right foot peripheral polyneuropathy, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during military service and have been continuous since then.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease contributed substantially to his death from acute renal failure. Service connection for cause of death is granted, and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is also granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an extraschedular rating for diabetes mellitus type II and service connection for additional disabilities secondary to his service-connected diabetes, finding that the symptoms were not exceptional or unusual and did not meet the criteria for an extraschedular evaluation.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD due to lack of a current diagnosis in accordance with the DSM-5. The claims for right hand, left hand, right arm, and left arm neuropathy are remanded as medical examination is needed. The respiratory disorder claim remains on appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back, neck, left lower extremity, and bilateral hip disabilities as they are related to his service-connected back disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he is not in need of regular aid and attendance.