Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has denied service connection for major depressive disorder, bilateral hand problems, back disability, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case to issue a supplemental statement of the case addressing all issues related to the claim of an increased rating for residuals, status post repair, of laceration of the left Achilles tendon.

The Veteran's sciatic nerve peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity is currently rated as 20 percent disabling prior to September 14, 2015. The Board finds that this rating is appropriate given the moderate incomplete paralysis.,The Veteran's sciatic nerve peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity and femoral nerve peripheral neuropathy of both left and right lower extremities are currently rated as 20 percent disabling prior to September 14, 2015. The Board finds that this rating is appropriate given the moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Veteran's death was caused by drowning, and the Board has determined that his service-connected bilateral upper and lower peripheral neuropathy (PN) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) contributed to his death. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the onset and relationship of the Veteran's conditions to his military service, including potential cold weather exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's hypertension and diabetes mellitus were not shown as chronic in service, nor did they manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period. The Board finds that the Veteran was not exposed to herbicides during his service aboard the USS Coral Sea.,The Veteran's neuropathy of the right upper extremity, left lower extremity, and right lower extremity were not shown as chronic in service, nor did they manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period. The Board finds that the Veteran was not exposed to herbicides during his service aboard the USS Coral Sea.,The Veteran's neuropathy of the right upper extremity may be secondary to his diagnosed diabetes mellitus, but his diabetes mellitus is not a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for CLL, peripheral neuropathy, psoriasis, and vertigo are being remanded due to the need for further development regarding potential exposure to ionizing radiation during his military service.,The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for PTSD prior to June 12, 2018, and since then is also being remanded as additional information is needed from SSA records and medical examinations are required.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for further development regarding his service connection claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hand disorder, bilateral wrist disorder, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, and acquired psychiatric disorder are not service-connected.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, PTSD with major depressive disorder, and erectile dysfunction have been granted. The issue of a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD has also been remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU) because VA failed to obtain private treatment records from Dr. Qasim and did not provide a statement of reasons or basis whether the Veteran's employment constituted a protected work environment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to lack of recent medical evidence, and requests additional VA treatment notes and a clinical opinion regarding the impact of service-connected disabilities on obesity.

The Veteran's lumbar strain and left lower extremity sciatic neuropathy have been granted initial ratings, with the lumbar strain rated at 20 percent since May 3, 2022. The left lower extremity sciatic neuropathy has a separate rating of 10 percent since September 24, 2019.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various types of peripheral neuropathy and a skin disorder have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for right ulnar neuropathy and left ulnar neuropathy, finding that the conditions began during active service.

The Board has granted service connection for left upper extremity nerve disability and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The decision finds a nexus between the Veteran's symptoms and his military service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further review of the evidence, including a VA examination report submitted in October 2021. The issues regarding service connection are not yet resolved.

The Veteran's appeal for restoration of a 40 percent rating for diabetic peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity is granted.,The Veteran's appeal for restoration of a 30 percent rating for diabetic peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity is granted.,The Veteran's appeal for restoration of a 10 percent rating for diabetic peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity (femoral nerve) is dismissed as the benefit sought on appeal has been essentially granted in full.,The Veteran's appeal for restoration of a 10 percent rating for diabetic peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity (femoral nerve), prior to December 23, 2021, and from that date in excess of 20 percent is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type 2 is presumed due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange). The Board granted service connection for the other conditions as secondary to his service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's bowel incontinence is currently rated as 60 percent disabling. The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to a 100 percent evaluation for bowel incontinence, which is the maximum schedular evaluation available. For his service-connected diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities, the Veteran's claim is remanded due to the need for additional VA examination.