Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The rating reduction for the right femur scar was upheld, and a new rating of 0% effective March 6, 2020 was granted. For peripheral neuropathy, a higher rating than 30% after September 18, 2019 was not granted.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease is granted as presumptively related to exposure to herbicide agents in the Republic of Vietnam. The appeals for glaucoma, peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities are dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for peripheral neuropathy in both upper extremities and for obstructive sleep apnea due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether these conditions are related to service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for diabetic neuropathy and genitourinary system disorder (erectile dysfunction) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The Veteran was assigned a noncompensable rating for residuals of inactive tuberculosis.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left leg is currently rated at 40 percent, and no higher.,Prior to March 27, 2018, the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right leg was rated at 20 percent. Since then, it has been rated at 40 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for CKD is granted. The Board also remanded several other issues including the reopening of a diabetes mellitus claim, depression, and various other disabilities.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinions are not adequate to adjudicate the claim of entitlement to an increased initial rating for residuals of a traumatic brain injury. The Veteran's symptoms overlap with his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder, and it is unclear whether they can be clearly separated from each other.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for type II diabetes mellitus and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including clarification on whether strenuous activity must be avoided to prevent exacerbation of diabetic symptoms.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and related peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure. Additional development is needed to verify the Veteran's in-country service and determine if he was exposed to herbicides.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and consideration, including service connection claims, evaluations of disabilities, and a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction evaluation was withdrawn.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is not service connected due to the VA examiner's opinion that it was less likely than not caused by his diabetes mellitus. However, there are questions about whether the condition is aggravated by diabetes or related to Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's right wrist poly radiculopathy/neuropathy and carpal tunnel syndrome was granted a 30 percent disability rating prior to March 26, 2019.,The Veteran's left wrist poly radiculopathy/neuropathy and carpal tunnel syndrome was granted a 20 percent disability rating prior to March 26, 2019.

The Board has ordered new examinations to determine the nature and cause of various disorders, including back disorder, atherosclerosis, cerebral infarction, loss of teeth, left shoulder disorder, gallbladder disorder, GERD, muscle spasms, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy, hyperlipidemia, and peripheral vascular disease. The Veteran was exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune and ionizing radiation but the medical opinions are needed for these claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The effective dates for the assigned disability ratings are March 28, 2018.,Service connection was not granted for pulmonary embolism or peripheral vascular disease.

The Board has ordered the Veteran to be examined for his service-connected left upper extremity neuropathy and GERD, as well as a determination of their current severity. The examinations must include information about flare-ups and functional loss during those periods.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease and bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, all of which are presumed to be related to the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents while stationed near U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left lower extremity sciatic and femoral peripheral neuropathy disabilities are rated at 10 percent prior to September 13, 2017. Effective September 13, 2017, the ratings for his right and left lower extremity sciatic and femoral peripheral neuropathy disabilities were increased to 20 percent each.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was remanded due to issues with the Board's analysis of his educational history and work capacity. The case is now being returned for further consideration.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerve disabilities are each rated at 10 percent prior to September 11, 2019 and increased to 40 percent thereafter. The Veteran's Dengue fever residuals including cervical and inguinal area ancillary lymphadenopathy remain noncompensable.,The Veteran's right and left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerve disabilities are each rated at 10 percent prior to September 11, 2019 and increased to 40 percent thereafter. The Veteran's Dengue fever residuals including cervical and inguinal area ancillary lymphadenopathy remain noncompensable.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine disability, right foot disability, and left foot disability. The Veteran's claim for TDIU was also denied as he did not meet the schedular rating criteria.