Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for SMC at the R-1 or R-2 level is remanded due to outstanding VA and non-VA treatment records. The AOJ should obtain these records and conduct further development as needed.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for neck disability due to new and material evidence. The claims for service connection for headache disability, neurological impairment of the upper extremities, and neurological impairment of the lower extremities are remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the reopening of the neck disability claim.

The Board has remanded several issues for issuance of a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) after new evidence was submitted without waiver of RO review. The TDIU issue remains on appeal.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities have been granted initial ratings of 20 percent each.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction has not been established, as it is not attributable to service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied increased disability ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, finding that symptoms did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus type II, prostate cancer, and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood are granted. Service connection is denied for a dental condition, rheumatoid arthritis, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus type II, coronary artery disease, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, and left foot amputation, result in loss of use of both lower extremities. The Board finds eligibility for financial assistance to purchase an automobile and adaptive equipment.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with the December 2019 remand directives and has therefore ordered a new examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed bilateral foot disability.

The Veteran's claims for full-body osteoarthritis, benign prostatic hypertrophy, skin cancer (squamous cell carcinoma), bilateral upper extremity clinical peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity clinical peripheral neuropathy have all been denied. The Board found no evidence linking any of these conditions to service.,There is no diagnosis of full-body osteoarthritis or active skin cancer disability at this time. No in-service incident, illness, or injury was linked to the Veteran's present disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease resulting in current disabilities and that any preexisting conditions did not worsen during service. The Board also found that the Veteran’s current symptoms are more likely related to his service-connected lumbar spine strain than to cold injuries sustained in service.

The Veteran's lung cancer residuals, type II diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are granted as service-connected. The Veteran's right index finger amputation and below the right knee amputation are also granted as secondary to his type II diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted service connection for a right lower extremity disability (peripheral neuropathy) but denied service connection for a neck condition, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are more likely related to his civilian work and not his military service.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy (PN) of the left and right lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence to support a direct link between the conditions and service or any recognized exposure basis.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including right and left foot disabilities, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, sleep apnea, heart disability, and cervical spine disability. The Veteran's assertions were not supported by medical evidence or credible supporting statements.,No current diagnoses of these conditions have been established in the record.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral lower extremity diabetic neuropathy does not result in permanent loss or use of one or both feet, so he is ineligible for financial assistance for an automobile or adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error, and he needs an examination to determine his eligibility for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant.

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The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection as they are related to his active duty service. The lumbosacral strain, bilateral foot disability, bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are denied as there is no evidence of a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right upper extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, as well as epilepsy, have been denied. The evidence does not support the assignment of higher disability ratings.

The Veteran's request for self-employment assistance through Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) was granted. The decision found that the Veteran has a serious employment handicap due to his service-connected disabilities, which necessitated selection of self-employment as the only reasonably feasible vocational goal.