Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Veteran's disability ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities were restored to 40 percent effective December 1, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were dismissed. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, was reopened due to new evidence provided since the last denial in 2009.

The Board has determined that the appellant's countable income exceeded the applicable VA pension income limits, and thus her application for death pension benefits is denied. The appeal to establish service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death is remanded.

The Board has decided that a new VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, including whether it is related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type 2 is granted.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for mild renal insufficiency is granted.,The Veteran's claims for disability ratings in excess of 10 percent for diabetic peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity and left lower extremity are denied.,The Veteran's claims for disability ratings in excess of 10 percent for diabetic peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity and left upper extremity are denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, associated with diabetes, are denied as his conditions do not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) due to in-service exposure to benzene, jet fuel, and solvents. The issues of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left leg and right leg are remanded.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy with radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities is rated at 40 percent from January 16, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him incapable of sustaining substantially gainful employment, at least for the period from August 24, 2008, to July 15, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for lung disability, prostate disability, and sleep apnea were dismissed. Service connection was granted for scar of the right leg, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy secondary to diabetes.

The Veteran's service connection claims for chronic gastritis, left foot frostbite neuropathy, right foot frostbite neuropathy, and a left index finger disability are all granted. The Board found new and material evidence to reopen these claims and granted service connection based on the combined old and new probative evidence.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings of service-connected disabilities and the determination of whether SMC is warranted are being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations. The referred claims include PTSD, diabetes, retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy, and heart disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty about whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed to his death. A medical opinion is needed to determine if these conditions caused or contributed to his cause of death.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left and right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and melanoma are all granted as service connected. The decision also remands the issue of service connection for melanoma due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and the Board denied an increased rating. The TDIU claim was also denied as there is no evidence that his service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for neurological disabilities of the bilateral upper and lower extremities are remanded due to a need for additional VA examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the listed conditions prior to a decision being made.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy in the left and right lower extremities as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus. The claim for erectile dysfunction was reopened, but not granted due to lack of evidence showing it is proximately caused by or aggravated by service-connected diabetes mellitus. The claim for osteoarthritis (right knee) is remanded.