Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for a VA opinion to determine if any of the Veteran's current disabilities, including orthopedic residuals from his in-service left ankle injury and peripheral neuropathy, are related to that injury.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy (median), right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy (median), left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (sciatic), and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (sciatic) have been granted. The Veteran is now rated at 20 percent for each of the four conditions, with no higher ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II is found to be the proximate cause of his loss of use of a creative organ, peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, and chronic cough. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for early-onset peripheral neuropathy or were related to his presumed exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his exposure to herbicide agents and other chemicals during his time at Fort McClellan, Alabama. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's upper extremity disability is secondary to his service-connected diabetes.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of right upper, left upper, right lower, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as the Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, type II diabetes mellitus, and neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or any in-service exposure.,The Board also noted that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus related injury, event, or disease in service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and further development is needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities have been reopened, and their service-connected PTSD has been granted a 50% evaluation.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction is granted a 40 percent evaluation from February 15, 2018. The left lower extremity neuropathy is granted a 10 percent evaluation prior to September 26, 2019 and denied in excess of 20 percent thereafter. The right lower extremity neuropathy is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus the Board has granted TDIU.

The Veteran's hypertension and hypertensive kidney disease are granted service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The Board also grants service connection for vascular insufficiency, AAA, lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral foot ulcers as related to the service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, a psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction due to incomplete development.

The Board has remanded the claims for entitlement to service connection for cervical spine, right hip, and right knee conditions due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's hypertension, high cholesterol, GERD, headaches, LLE peripheral neuropathy, and RLE peripheral neuropathy are denied as there is no competent indication of a relationship to service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus (DM) was denied, and his TDIU claim was also denied.

The Board has restored the Veteran's ratings for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy of the femoral nerve from 20 percent to 20 percent effective as of May 15, 2020.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and higher ratings due to insufficient VA opinions regarding etiology and severity of the disabilities, as well as inadequate notice provided to the appellant.

The Veteran's reduction of a 40 percent rating for diabetes mellitus (DM) was improper, and the restoration of the 40 percent rating is granted. The Board also found that the Veteran warrants a total disability based upon individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and allergic rhinitis have been rated as appropriate, but his peripheral neuropathy and hypertension due to Agent Orange exposure are not currently service connected.,The Board has determined that additional medical examinations and opinions are needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy and hypertension.