Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating of diabetes mellitus, as well as the claim for TDIU due to the need for additional development. The Veteran's treatment records must be updated, including SSA records. A VA examination is needed to assess the severity of his diabetes mellitus and determine if it caused or aggravated his acquired psychiatric disorder. Additionally, a medical opinion regarding employability is required.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction due to herbicide agents exposure, including as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The case is also remanded for a medical opinion on whether any current erectile dysfunction is related to military service or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's need for aid and attendance due to PTSD, as well as service connection for peripheral neuropathy and cervical spondylosis. The Veteran is currently service connected for PTSD but not for peripheral neuropathy or cervical spondylosis.

The Board has dismissed all appeals for service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left lower extremity neuropathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to his death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims as he died during the appeal process.

The Board has restored service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, finding that it was caused by presumed Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, coronary artery disease, peripheral neuropathy, and eczema due to potential exposure to Agent Orange during military service. The AOJ is instructed to verify the Veteran's in-service exposure to herbicide agents and determine if he was exposed to Agent Orange at a Royal Thai Air Force Base.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied for bilateral hearing loss, type II diabetes mellitus, kidney disorder (to include secondary to type II diabetes mellitus), and bilateral eye disorder (to include secondary to type II diabetes mellitus). The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals of the issues related to various foot and knee conditions, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, hip condition, Achilles tendon condition, pes cavus, hammertoes, and plantar fasciitis. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, hypothyroidism, benign prostatic hyperplasia (previously high PSA), hemorrhoids, itching problem of the hands and feet, and onychomycosis as there was no evidence of a direct relationship to active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, DM II with erectile dysfunction and hypertension, peripheral neuropathy, and cataracts, have been shown to prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for chronic joint pain, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and peripheral neuropathy due to insufficient medical opinions and need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,Specifically, the VA examiner needs to consider recent EMG testing and address whether the Veteran's IHD and the coronary artery surgery where veins were harvested in his legs caused or aggravated the pain.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted as service-connected due to an error in judgment by VA medical personnel for failing to promptly test his lithium levels, leading to prolonged lithium toxicity and resulting in the development of peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity neuropathy due to herbicide exposure, as it found the previous opinions inadequate.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and diabetic peripheral neuropathy due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The Board also requested verification of exposure to herbicide agents or other types of defoliants during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for herpes simplex virus is denied as there is no persuasive evidence of an in-service onset.,Service connection for the Pfannenstiel incision (scar) associated with herpes simplex virus is also denied due to lack of a link between the scar and any service-connected disability or disease.,The Veteran's GERD is not rated higher than 10 percent as it does not meet criteria for more severe manifestations such as persistent epigastric distress, pyrosis, substernal pain, or arm/shoulder pain.,For thoracolumbar IVDS with arthritis prior to December 11, 2019, the Veteran's disability is rated at 10 percent due to limitations in range of motion and no additional functional loss during flare-ups.,From December 11, 2019 onwards, the Veteran's thoracolumbar IVDS with arthritis warrants a rating of 40 percent as it results in more severe limitation of motion than before.,Right hip arthritis is rated at 10 percent due to limited range of motion and ability to cross legs. Left hip arthritis is also rated at 10 percent for similar reasons.,Bilateral corneal dystrophy with dry eye syndrome does not warrant a compensable rating as it only results in visual acuity impairment up to 20/40 bilaterally.,Left lower extremity radiculopathy and sensorimotor neuropathy prior to December 11, 2019 is rated at 10 percent due to mild incomplete paralysis. From that date onwards, it warrants a rating of 20 percent for moderate incomplete paralysis.,The Veteran's claims for higher ratings are denied as the evidence does not support additional functional loss or impairment beyond what is already accounted for in her current disability ratings.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's complex regional pain syndrome with peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity. The Veteran will need a VA medical opinion to address this issue.