Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to service connection for various conditions, including right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, uterine fibroids, arthritis, skin disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder, shin splints, migraine headaches, and anemia. The Board has determined that these claims are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for multiple myeloma, bladder cancer, anemia, peripheral neuropathy of the right arm, left arm, right leg, and left leg on a presumptive basis due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran's appeals for service connection for disabilities of the elbows, right ankle, and left arm/wrist have been withdrawn.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and a total rating based on individual unemployability was dismissed due to his death. The Board must dismiss the appeal without prejudice as it is not possible to continue the appeal after the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability was reopened and granted. The claims for toxic optic neuropathy, right hip osteonecrosis, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, muscle spasms of the neck, back, arms, fingers, legs and toes, seizure disorder, migraine headaches, right thigh disability, bone disorder, brain tumor, neurological disabilities of the upper extremities, and service connection for a left knee disability are all granted.,The Veteran's toxic optic neuropathy is secondary to his service-connected pain disorder and depression with history of self-medicating with alcohol. His right hip osteonecrosis is also secondary to his service-connected pain disorder and depression with history of self-medicating with alcohol. The bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, muscle spasms of the neck, back, arms, fingers, legs and toes, seizure disorder, migraine headaches, right thigh disability, bone disorder, brain tumor, neurological disabilities of the upper extremities are all secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome, right foot peripheral neuropathy, and left foot peripheral neuropathy are all granted as service-connected. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms began during active service and have continued to the present.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of exposure to herbicides or other factors linking these conditions to his military service.,Specifically, the Veteran served in Thailand and was not exposed to herbicides based on his MOS duties as a munitions specialist and weapons mechanic.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities is currently rated at 40 percent, effective January 6, 2021. The Board denied increased ratings for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation benefits based on the need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his conditions did not meet the criteria for requiring regular aid and attendance.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of heart disease, left upper extremity neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy as they are no longer on appeal due to the RO's grant of service connection. The death of the appellant means that this case cannot be adjudicated further.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and related peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, as well as heart disease, were denied due to lack of evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to January 21, 2009 is denied as the evidence does not show that he was unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for left arm disorder, cervical spine disorder, hypertension (HTN), and acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims were also remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his military service, including jumping from aircraft during service.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability. The cervical spine and thoracic spine disabilities, as well as the peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, are remanded for further development.

The Board has restored service connection for the listed conditions due to clear and unmistakable error in severing them.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new and updated evidence, as well as for further examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient medical evidence regarding whether the Veteran's alcohol use is related to his service-connected PTSD. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if he has an alcohol abuse disorder and its relationship to his PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, finding that it did not have its onset in service and is not otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's left arm nerve damage is not considered to be service-connected, as the Board found that it was caused by carelessness or negligence on the part of VA during his October 2015 heart surgery.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the severity of the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy at the time of prior VA examinations and submitted DBQs. The case is being returned for further development.