Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to a duty-to-assist error in prior decisions.

The Veteran's service connection for narcolepsy and diabetic neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities was denied. The Veteran received increased ratings for his diabetic neuropathy, with a TDIU granted prior to August 15, 2019.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, right upper extremity, and right lower extremity are each rated at 20 percent.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran is granted a disability rating of 80 percent for his neuropathy of the left lower extremity from June 29, 2016 to January 30, 2019. The condition was found to be complete paralysis during this period.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy in both lower extremities is rated at 40 percent, effective from the date of this decision.

The Board previously denied service connection for neuropathy, but the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (Court) has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's statements regarding his symptoms and exposure to DDT while stationed in Guam.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient consideration of whether the Veteran's ED is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected conditions, specifically diabetes, CAD, PTSD, peripheral neuropathy, and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and neuropathy. The decision grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his chronic lumbar strain and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for left palmar median nerve neuropathy was denied as the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD with polysubstance abuse prior to April 30, 2014 and from August 1, 2014, was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a disability rating of 70 percent or higher.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral tinea pedis with onychomycosis was denied. Service connection claims for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities were also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left elbow disability and left ulnar nerve neuropathy, as secondary to the service-connected left elbow disability, have been granted. The left elbow disability includes posttraumatic arthritis, which is considered direct service connection due to its onset during active duty service. The left ulnar nerve neuropathy is found to be proximately due to the service-connected left elbow disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's residuals of cold weather injury, including frostbite and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral feet/toes. The appellant is requested to provide all relevant medical records for review.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on all issues have been withdrawn. The Board has remanded the remaining claims of service connection for ischemic heart disease, necrotizing pancreatitis, diabetes mellitus type II, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is granted as presumptively related to herbicide exposure in Thailand. His erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy, fatty liver, hypertension, and left ventricular hypertrophy are all found to be secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error and potential herbicide agent exposure. The Veteran's in-service duties as a helicopter combat support member are being investigated, along with possible exposure to Vietnam.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left-upper-extremity disorder, finding that it is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected right-wrist carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted service connection. The claims for renal dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU beginning June 23, 2019, due to his service-connected disabilities. The effective date is based on the last day of his substantially gainful employment.