Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for bilateral lower extremity cold injuries and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, as well as his claim of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the May 2008 rating decision that granted service connection.

The Board has decided that a remand is necessary to obtain VA treatment records and to provide the Veteran with a VA examination to assess his peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to incomplete development. The issues include bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, hearing loss, hypertension (secondary), coronary artery disease, insomnia, and TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 100% rating effective October 12, 2018.,An increased rating of 70% for right upper extremity diabetic neuropathy is granted effective January 29, 2020.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent, and the Board found no evidence to warrant a higher rating.,The Veteran's thoracic osteoarthritis is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board determined that the disability does not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.,The Veteran was granted separate ratings of 10 percent each for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, as his symptoms are analogous to mild incomplete paralysis of the femoral nerve.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus was denied due to lack of evidence showing chronicity in service or continuity of symptomatology post-service.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is not considered service-connected.

The Board dismissed all appeals for service connection due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his claims.

The Veteran's initial ratings for sural mononeuropathy of the right and left lower extremities are denied, but he is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher disability ratings or a separate rating for radiculopathy of femoral nerves prior to October 13, 2017. For the period since October 13, 2017, the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were remanded.

The Veteran is granted eligibility for specially adapted housing due to his service-connected lumbar degenerative disc disease with IVDS and bilateral lower extremities neuropathy, which precludes locomotion without assistive devices. Eligibility for automobile or adaptive equipment was denied as the Veteran does not meet the criteria of loss of use of a hand or foot.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected left ankle disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the VA did not provide adequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy claims, specifically related to his contention of delayed onset due to herbicide exposure. The case is being remanded for further development and consideration.

The Board has denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy and remanded the issue of service connection for residuals of bamboo poisoning. The case is now being returned to VA for further development.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy and ischemic heart disease due to new evidence received since the last final rating decision. The Veteran's LUE peripheral neuropathy was diagnosed in September 2013, while his ischemic heart disease claim is related to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Veteran's service-connected left hand disability, diagnosed as left ulnar neuropathy due to nerve damage from an in-service laceration, is granted a 30 percent evaluation for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection related to fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, a musculoskeletal condition, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and arthritis of the pelvis are remanded due to insufficient VA medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is about the calculation of past-due benefits due to a February 2019 rating decision that granted service connection for right median neuropathy and TDIU. The Board has decided to remand this issue as VA did not properly calculate the amount owed.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities are granted increased disability ratings. Service connection for renal dysfunction secondary to diabetes mellitus type II is also granted.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including sleep apnea, liver disorder, gout, residuals of mini-strokes, PN of the bilateral lower extremities, and prostate cancer. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

Service connection for coronary artery disease is granted. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a separate rating for neuropathy of the lower extremities as secondary to service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and denied his claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board found no evidence of current neurological disorders in the Veteran's lower extremities.