Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her in need of regular aid and attendance, which is required to protect her from hazards or dangers incident to her daily environment. As a result, the Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and hypertension are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral foot disability is not related to his active service, and his coronary artery disease status post CABG surgery does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis of the left and right upper extremities due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.,The Board also remanded the claims for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, as there was insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a right knee disorder, diabetes mellitus (DM), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support the appeals.,A separate claim for depression was also raised but not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's back disability, neck disability, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy have been granted service connection.,An effective date earlier than July 24, 2017 for the increased 50 percent evaluation for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has not been met.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and conflicting opinions.

The Veteran's left wrist disability is granted a separate 10 percent rating effective March 1, 2018. The initial increased (20 percent) for the Veteran's service-connected left hand ulnar neuropathy is denied prior to September 27, 2021, and denied since that date.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the left knee, urinary disability, and polyneuropathy claims. The Veteran's service records will be reviewed to determine if there are any outstanding private treatment records or VA treatment records from February 2018 to present. An examination by an appropriate clinician will be scheduled to assess the current severity of his service-connected left knee strain with chondromalacia patella, enthesopathy and arthritis. The Veteran's urinary disability and polyneuropathy claims will also require additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various ankle and upper extremity disorders due to a lack of medical opinion regarding their relationship to service. The Veteran is required to provide authorization for VA to obtain private treatment records, and a VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the right knee disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, and the peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including PTSD, CAD, HTN, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, PN of the upper and lower extremities, OSA, ventricular arrhythmia, and an acquired mental disorder other than PTSD. The appeals are now pending with the AOJ for further review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including lung cancer, colorectal cancer, peripheral neuropathy, and an acquired psychiatric disability are remanded due to incomplete records and need for additional development regarding his National Guard service and potential exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has granted service connection for Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, Diabetes Mellitus Type II, and Peripheral Neuropathy on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran's cause of death is also considered service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for neuropathy of the left upper extremity and bilateral lower extremities have been denied as there is no evidence that VA care caused or contributed to his condition.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, including due to exposure to herbicides. Additional development is required as the VA examiner did not fully address key pieces of evidence.

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for disabilities of the bilateral lower extremities, right shoulder, and bilateral hands are denied as there is no evidence showing that these conditions were caused or aggravated by VA treatment.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity due to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II (DM) for additional development. The claim for tinnitus remains granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran sustained additional disability as a result of the January 2004 surgery and if VA's care was at fault. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's hypertension and diabetes mellitus, type II, are rated as they currently manifest. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for sleep apnea, arthritis, low back disability, bilateral plantar fasciitis, peripheral neuropathy, right hand, left hand, left lower extremity, and right lower extremity.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.