Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as moot due to a recent grant in an April 2022 rating decision. Service connection was granted for hyperparathyroidism secondary to chronic kidney disease, and PTSD was rated at 70 percent disabling. The appeals for melanoma, lumbar degenerative arthritis, and hypothyroidism were also addressed.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, including initial evaluations, effective dates for service connection, and TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board has dismissed all appeals for service connection and rating higher than 60 percent for coronary artery disease, status post coronary artery bypass graft due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of inflammatory polyarthralgia, sicca syndrome, and peripheral neuropathy for further examination and opinion regarding their relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the claims due to deficiencies in prior examinations, and further review is needed for accurate evaluations of disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for swelling of the right and left lower extremities, including peripheral neuropathy, as well as fatigue syndrome, are being remanded due to failure to provide adequate notice and scheduling of VA examinations.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted effective November 9, 2011. The increased disability ratings for diabetes mellitus, type II, with erectile dysfunction and hypertension, compensation pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for an additional injury resulting from a cataract surgery performed at a VA Medical Center (VAMC) in June 2010, increased disability rating for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and increased disability rating for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity are all dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent her from attending to the needs of nature, caring for herself, or protecting herself from the hazards of her environment. The Board has determined that she is in need of regular aid and attendance due to her service-connected conditions.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension, finding new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for both conditions.,The Veteran's depression and eye condition (claimed as vision loss) are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and an addendum VA opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his early-onset peripheral neuropathy. The TDIU claim must also be remanded to obtain relevant employment verification.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes. Service connection for hypertension was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to procedural errors and the need for a modernized review system.

The Veteran's claim for higher SMC rates is denied as his disabilities do not meet the criteria for loss of use of hands or feet, blindness with only light perception, or anatomical loss.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and variously claimed peripheral neuropathy conditions due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's service in Vietnam is not conceded.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity prior to December 2, 2020, finding that it was manifested by moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left lower extremity neuropathy, finding no current disability and insufficient evidence to establish a link between his claimed condition and service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to a lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy. The AOJ is also directed to obtain any relevant private medical records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right foot disorders, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current bilateral foot disability and his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with dysthymia and opioid dependence, have rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment on a schedular basis from November 14, 2011 to June 7, 2021.