Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities with residuals of transischemic attack has rendered him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance, qualifying for specially adapted housing. However, his claim for a special home adaptation grant is denied as moot because he is already eligible for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing.

The Veteran's bilateral pes cavus is currently rated as noncompensable prior to March 8, 2016, and 10% thereafter. The Veteran also claims service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, dizziness, vertigo, loss of balance, and falling, all secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes cavus.,The Veteran's left fibula fracture, groin pain, and residuals of a head injury are not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, with diabetic retinopathy and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, is rated at 40 percent since August 2, 2018. The rating for erectile dysfunction remains denied.

Your claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations and opinions to address the presence of any undiagnosed illness due to Gulf War service, as well as the etiology of ataxia, peripheral neuropathy disorders, and joint problems (including Lyme disease and celiac disease).,Veterans are being asked to provide evidence that their current conditions may be related to military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, basal cell carcinoma, and peripheral neuropathy are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. The Veteran is also denied an initial compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss and a higher rating for his tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance, which has been granted.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is not service-connected and is not related to his service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's gout is not service-connected and is not related to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has found that the claims for service connection, increased ratings, and TDIU need to be remanded due to procedural issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of all extremities, as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for service connection of peripheral neuropathy and sleep apnea. The claims were received more than one year after the Veteran’s separation from service, and the earliest possible assignable effective dates are August 18, 2016.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, left and right lower extremity neuropathy due to herbicide exposure. The claims are being returned for additional development including addendum medical opinions.

The Veteran's disability ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities have been restored from 40% to 10%, effective November 1, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus and its related complications, have been denied as they are not shown to be due to exposure to herbicides or any other in-service event.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder, diagnosed as lumbar segmental dysfunction with radiculopathy and neuropathy. The appeal is pending on remand regarding the Veteran's left heel disorder.,Service connection was denied for bilateral pes planus due to lack of evidence showing permanent aggravation by service.

The Board has denied service connection for a bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hip disorder, left ankle disability, and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy due to incomplete evidence.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including low back disorder, right hip and knee disorders, bilateral foot disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (presumed due to service connection), peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and dental disorder. The decision also noted that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and knee disorders, were not adjudicated in the July 2018 rating decision. The Board has referred these issues to the AOJ for appropriate action.

The Board has remanded four claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions in the VA examination reports. The Veteran's low back disorder, psychiatric condition, and peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities are all being reviewed.

The Veteran's claim for reopening of his PTSD service connection has been granted. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claims for right ear hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, neuropathy, and an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD (including major depressive disorder). However, further examination is needed as the Veteran's low back disability may have worsened since his last VA examination. The TDIU claim is also remanded.