Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to a lack of VA examinations and records. The Veteran's disabilities are related to service, but more evidence is needed.

The Veteran's bilateral hand disorders, including osteoarthritis, Dupuytren's contracture, and peripheral neuropathy, are being remanded for additional medical opinions to determine if they are aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension, as well as the relationship between in-service weight gain and these conditions. The peripheral neuropathy claim is also remanded because it is inextricably intertwined with the diabetes mellitus type II claim.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus type II and diabetic peripheral neuropathy due to worsening symptoms since his last VA examination in September 2017. The Veteran is required to provide updated medical records, including from Dr. O’Neil and Dr. Kohlenberg.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to December 9, 2019 and in excess of 40 percent thereafter for right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's back disorder, left lower extremity neuropathy, and right lower extremity neuropathy were not service connected as they did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period or are otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran does not have any service-connected disabilities that would qualify him for TDIU.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for rectal cancer and secondary service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, finding that there is insufficient evidence to establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate efforts by VA in obtaining his private medical records. The Veteran is required to provide updated, legible forms and VA must attempt to obtain all relevant treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral leg disability, finding that the claimed condition is not related to any service-connected disability and is not otherwise related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) as it is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and related peripheral neuropathy are granted as presumptively related to herbicide exposure in Thailand.,The Veteran's hypertension is also granted as presumptively related to herbicide exposure in Thailand. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction and voiding dysfunction, as well as his bilateral eye conditions (cataracts and diabetic retinopathy) are all secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence linking the condition to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's low back condition has been rated at 20 percent for the entire appeal period, and his right femur fracture with degenerative arthritis has been rated at 60 percent for the entire appeal period.,Peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is currently rated at a level that does not reflect its severity.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity can be adjudicated.,The Veteran's hypertension may not have been related to his exposure to herbicide agents, as no VA examiner has provided an opinion on this issue.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left and right upper extremities, as well as his left and right lower extremities, is granted as service-connected due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board has granted service connection for skin cancer, left lower extremity neuropathy, and right lower extremity neuropathy due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The decision is based on the presumption of service connection.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for peripheral neuropathy in all extremities due to exposure to burn pits during service. The VA must provide a new medical opinion addressing whether these conditions are related to herbicide exposure.

The Board has denied service connection for neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's service-connected status post carpal tunnel release with median nerve neuropathy, left wrist was rated at 20 percent prior to May 30, 2018 and increased to 40 percent thereafter. The decision is granted for the period after May 30, 2018.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records from Dr. M-Q and Dr. G.S., which are necessary to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.