Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding increased ratings for diabetic neuropathy of the bilateral sciatic nerves and right femoral nerve prior to January 4, 2018, and from January 3, 2022.

The Board has dismissed all issues of service connection and rating as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for multiple sclerosis, peripheral neuropathy, motor problems, tremors, and poor memory due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to his active service.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder, not otherwise specified, is rated at 70 percent. Increased ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity and left upper extremity are denied. Increased ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity (sciatic nerve) and left lower extremity (sciatic nerve) are granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and cataracts as they are inextricably intertwined with the outcome of a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's conditions are related to his service-connected diabetes.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that the conditions are at least as likely as not related to in-service herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are granted as service-connected, with no specific exposure basis provided.

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

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection claims due to his withdrawal of these issues prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type II, left eye cataract, heart disorder, peripheral vascular disease (including decreased circulation and left leg splint and shunt in left groin), right hand disability (including carpal tunnel syndrome and neuropathy), and left hand disability (including neuropathy) due to the need for additional opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions. The presumptive exposure basis is based on service in the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations, which applies to Persian Gulf veterans.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy, specifically whether it is related to herbicide exposure during service.

The Veteran's appeals for various service-connected conditions have been dismissed due to their death.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disorder, COPD, and neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.,The Board also remanded several other issues including increased ratings for ankle disabilities and entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has dismissed appeals seeking increased ratings for right lower extremity sciatic neuropathy with degenerative disc disease and residuals of a gunshot wound to the left foot.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including bilateral eye disability, headaches, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and chloracne. The decision also noted that an effective date earlier than March 24, 2017, for tinnitus was denied.

The Board denied service connection for left upper extremity and right upper extremity neuropathy as there is no evidence of current disability or a relationship to military service.

The Board granted a rating of 40 percent for peripheral neuropathy (sciatic nerve) of the right lower extremity and a rating of 20 percent for peripheral neuropathy (sciatic nerve) of the left lower extremity. The ratings were denied for peripheral neuropathy (femoral nerve) of the right and left lower extremities.

The Board has remanded the reduction in disability rating from 100 percent to 40 percent for residuals of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and the entitlement to a total disability based on unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran is also required to provide VA with any outstanding medical records, including those from Dr. Yelameli at the Nashville Pain Clinic.