Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not result in the need for regular aid and attendance or permanent housebound status, thus denying his claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on these factors.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or homebound status, nor does he qualify for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

Service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is granted on a presumptive basis. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy involving the right ulnar nerve is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right forearm laceration residuals was granted with an effective date of January 4, 2010. The earlier effective date is not earlier than this date.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance has been granted. The issue of an effective date prior to January 13, 2015, for the assignment of a combined rating of 100 percent is remanded.

The Board has granted initial ratings of 10 percent for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, effective from April 12, 1999, and July 27, 2007 respectively.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to environmental hazards during his active service. The claims will be reconsidered after additional development is conducted.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence regarding his ability to work given his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities was reopened due to new and material evidence. The Board found that the Veteran's current condition is related to his military service, specifically the injuries he sustained from mortar shrapnel during service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and coronary artery disease) do not render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment. His TDIU claim is denied.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU rating for the period between February 1, 2012 and February 27, 2012. The issue of TDIU prior to October 20, 2011 is denied.

The Veteran's hypertension, thyroid cancer, and diabetes mellitus have been granted service connection due to herbicide agent exposure. Service connection for neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities has also been granted. However, a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus remains denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, finding that there is a greater than 50% chance the helicopter crash caused the neuropathy.

The Board has denied the claims for service connection for left and right shoulder disorders, cervical spine disorder, upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and cardiovascular disorder (diagnosed as hypertensive cardiovascular disease). The claims are being remanded to obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, vision loss, stroke residuals, and PTSD, have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since October 24, 2014. The Board has granted the TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy does not meet the schedular requirements for TDIU. However, his statements indicate he cannot work due to this condition and there is a suggestion of worsening since his last VA examination. The case is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and an examination.

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

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities were denied as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded several claims including service connection for headaches, residuals of a head injury, brain thrombosis, and related secondary conditions. The Veteran's complete medical records from his military service, Reserve service, private doctors (Dr. Tamayo), and VA facilities are needed to properly assess these claims.