Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities was evaluated at 10 percent prior to August 10, 2013. The Board found that a higher evaluation was not warranted based on the evidence.

The Veteran's claim for SMC (o) and need for regular aid and attendance was granted. The Veteran has been in receipt of the correct payment for his combined disability rating since August 2005.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's service connection claims for headaches and lower left extremity peripheral neuropathy have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, has been granted as it is linked to his military service.,Service connection was established for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depressive disorder) due to the Veteran's reported experiences in Vietnam.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance from another person, warranting SMC at the aid and attendance rate. As this is a greater benefit than SMC on account of being housebound, his claim for SMC based on housebound status is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased ratings due to insufficient notice being provided to the appellant. The claims will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for capsulitis of the 2nd left toe and left cutaneous nerve of the hallux neuropathy were denied as there was no evidence to support a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy and whether it is related to his service, specifically his presumed herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity and left lower extremity have been rated at 20 percent each since January 31, 2011. The Board found the evidence insufficient to show moderately severe incomplete paralysis or neuritis/neuralgia of the sciatic nerve, thus denying increased evaluations.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spine disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, type II diabetes mellitus, heart disorder, lung disorder, cysts of the throat and right parotid gland, skin cancer of the forehead, loss of vision, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, erectile dysfunction, bilateral foot swelling, and bilateral hand disorder. The claims were denied as new and material evidence had not been received to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral hip condition and right hand/wrist condition were denied in the June 1993 rating decision. The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen these claims.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a groin condition is also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, hypertensive retinopathy, heart disability, cholesterol, and peripheral neuropathy of bilateral upper and lower extremities as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II. The Board found no evidence of in-service diagnosis or treatment related to these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy has been rated at 20 percent since December 8, 2009. The Board finds that the evidence does not warrant an increased evaluation for either leg during any portion of the period on appeal.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are all granted as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left upper extremity, right upper extremity, left lower extremity hemiparesis with peripheral neuropathy, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 40 percent for any condition.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and increased ratings for various peripheral neuropathies were denied. The claim for service connection for PTSD was not supported by evidence of current diagnosis or a link to service, while the other claims were denied based on lack of additional evidence showing that the conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for polycythemia and peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran was not provided with a VA examination in connection with his claims, and additional evidence is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current diagnoses.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and peripheral neuropathy as due to toxic herbicide exposure have been reopened. Service connection has been granted for both conditions. The claim for hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus is remanded.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for obstructive sleep apnea and an increased evaluation for other specified trauma and stressor related disorder. The remaining issues of service connection for frostbite, trench foot, peripheral neuropathy, and PTSD are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are rated at 40 percent from November 19, 2010, to April 30, 2014. The rating is denied for more than 40 percent since May 1, 2014.