Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for an ischemic spinal cord injury with neurogenic bowel and bladder related to surgery he underwent at VA for a repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). The Board finds that a new VA opinion should be obtained on the matter.

The Board found that the grant of service connection for peripheral neuropathy with peroneal palsy, left lower extremity, was clearly and unmistakably erroneous due to lack of evidence showing it was related to Agent Orange exposure within one year after last in-service exposure. The appeal is denied as the severance of service connection was proper.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the Veteran's left wrist disorder, but has remanded to determine if his neurological symptoms are related to his service-connected left wrist disability or aggravated by it.

An effective date of October 7, 2014, is granted for the grant of service connection for mild non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy.,Effective dates earlier than July 16, 2013, are denied for the grants of service connection for left lower extremity and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine the etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed conditions and remands the case for further action.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension due to a lack of current disability, but has remanded the claim for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral hands due to insufficient evidence regarding its etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for neuropathy of cranial nerve, left upper extremity neuropathy, and right upper extremity neuropathy due to exposure to Agent Orange. The issues are referred to the AOJ for appropriate action.

The Board has granted TDIU for the periods prior to February 1, 2016, and from December 1, 2016. However, the case is remanded for further consideration of TDIU for the period from February 1, 2016, to June 13, 2016.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to uncertainty about whether the Veteran's ship was within the territorial sea of Vietnam while he served aboard, which could affect his claim for service connection based on Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable.,Prior to May 31, 2018, the Veteran was not entitled to a rating in excess of 10 percent for his right and left lower extremity sciatic nerve peripheral neuropathy.,Beginning May 31, 2018, the Veteran is granted a 20 percent rating for each affected lower extremity sciatic nerve.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and incomplete records. The issues of service connection for various disabilities, including a cervical spine disability, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss disability, will be returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, type 2 diabetes mellitus, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, sleep disorder (obstructive sleep apnea), acquired psychiatric disorders (PTSD, anxiety disorder, depressive disorder), right knee degenerative joint disease, left knee degenerative joint disease, right hip degenerative joint disease, left hip degenerative joint disease, right foot degenerative joint disease, and hypertension.,The Board found no evidence of in-service noise exposure for hearing loss or Agent Orange exposure for diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's service records did not document Vietnam service.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension. The claims of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left foot, right foot, left hand, and right hand are also denied. Service connection is remanded for hypertension.

The Board has granted service connection for left ulnar neuropathy and remanded the cases of right-hand disability, left-hand disability (other than ulnar neuropathy), and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, diagnosed as depressive disorder, is granted due to its increase in severity being proximately due to his service-connected disabilities. His tinnitus and basal cell carcinoma are not related to service or any incident therein. The voiding dysfunction, DM2 with hypertension and erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities and lower extremities, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma have been found to aggravate his depressive disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the feet and onychomycosis, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to military service.

Service connection for diabetes mellitus and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is denied.,A separate disability rating of 10 percent, but no higher, for right lower extremity radiculopathy since December 19, 2019 is granted.

The Board granted restoration of a 20 percent rating for lumbar spine disability effective November 9, 2012.,The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity prior to and from November 9, 2012 is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left and right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy prior to May 26, 2016, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation based on incomplete paralysis.