Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has remanded several claims due to the need for additional medical opinions and records. The issues include service connection for various conditions, with particular focus on neuropathy and hip conditions.

The Board has found that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service in Korea and is requesting additional development to verify this exposure. The claims for diabetes, diabetic retinopathy, lymphoma residuals, and neuropathy are being remanded due to the need for further investigation into the Veteran's exposure history.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy and its relation to service, particularly exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance of another person, but he does not meet the criteria for SMC based on housebound status.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated as 20 percent disabling, and the Board has found that a higher rating is not warranted. The PTSD claim is remanded for further examination and evaluation. TDIU is also remanded due to inextricably intertwined issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to his self-medication with alcohol, which he asserts is a symptom of his service-connected PTSD. The case requires additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran’s alcohol abuse disorder.

The Veteran's right upper extremity diabetic neuropathy and combined rating are remanded due to the need for a VA examination, additional private treatment records from Dr. Khan, and consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate prior to November 2, 2012, and from January 1, 2013 to August 5, 2019, as he did not meet the schedular requirements for SMC housebound benefits.

The Board dismissed the appeals regarding proposed reductions in ratings for peripheral neuropathy affecting both lower extremities as the proposed reduction was not implemented.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability was denied. The appeal to sever service connection for neuropathy, right lower extremity, and the appeals for service connection of right shoulder disability and high blood pressure were all denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to duty-to-assist errors and the need for VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction as secondary to diabetes mellitus, and bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to diabetes mellitus due to incomplete development regarding the Veteran's dates of service in Korea and exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity due to new evidence submitted after the September 2009 rating decision. The PTSD claim remains in a denied status.

The Veteran's right lower extremity sciatic neuropathy is currently rated as 40 percent disabling. The Board has granted this rating.,For the left and right upper extremities, the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence of current disabilities.

The Veteran is granted a certificate of eligibility for specially adapted housing due to his service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and gunshot wound residuals. He is denied a special home adaptation grant as he meets the criteria for specially adapted housing.

The Board has granted service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer due to herbicide exposure while serving at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, as well as erectile dysfunction, are also presumed to be related to his active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, bladder disability (urinary incontinence), and bowel disability (impairment of rectal sphincter control) due to aggravation by the Veteran's service-connected T-6 compression fracture with deformities and kyphosis.

The Veteran's service connection for thyroid cancer is granted. The claim for SMC based on housebound status is denied.

The Board has denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, finding no evidence that these conditions are related to active service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to herbicide agent exposure for diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, and peripheral neuropathy of multiple extremities. The Veteran's ship deck logs need to be obtained to verify his exposure in Vietnam.