Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2019

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is currently rated at 40% and the Board denied an increased rating. The case is remanded for further development regarding his bilateral eye condition.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities are each rated at 10%. He is seeking a higher rating, and the case is also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not impact his ability to perform sedentary employment, but additional development is needed to determine if he can perform any type of work.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right foot is currently rated at 20 percent, and he contends that it has worsened. The Board finds a need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy and whether he suffers from loss of use in either hand or foot. The Veteran will need a new VA examination for these issues.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection and increased ratings are inextricably intertwined with the Veteran's claims for left and right knee disabilities. Therefore, these matters have been REMANDED.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for a withdrawal of the November 2016 substantive appeal, and only service connection for Parkinson's disease and chloracne is pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, ischemic heart disease, tinnitus, neuropathy of the right radial nerve, and bilateral hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has determined that a TDIU is warranted based on his physical and psychological impairments.

The Board denied the reopening of claims for service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy, both upper and lower extremities. The decision was based on the Appellant's lack of active military service in Vietnam, which disqualifies him from receiving disability benefits.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of service connection for peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's reduced rating for lumbar IVDS with degenerative arthritis is restored to 40 percent. A 40 percent rating effective from September 19, 2012, for IVDS and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is granted. A 20 percent initial rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for Type II Diabetes Mellitus, Peripheral Neuropathy of the Left Lower Extremity, and Peripheral Neuropathy of the Right Lower Extremity have been denied. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical records and schedule the Veteran for an examination to assess his current level of disability due to peripheral neuropathy.

Entitlement to an effective date prior to March 7, 2016 for the grant of an 80 percent rating for diabetic nephropathy is denied.,Entitlement to an effective date prior to March 15, 2016 for the grant of service connection for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is denied.,Entitlement to an effective date prior to March 15, 2016 for the grant of service connection for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is denied.,Entitlement to an effective date prior to March 15, 2016 for the grant of service connection for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is denied.,Entitlement to an effective date prior to March 15, 2016 for the grant of service connection for right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction and associated complications such as diabetic nephropathy, anxiety disorder, right Charcot foot, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, skin ulcer, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, rendered him unable to secure or retain substantially gainful employment. The Board granted TDIU based on these service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right (major) hand neuropathy.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and radiculopathy have been denied. The evidence does not demonstrate manifestations consistent with the criteria for increased ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities combine to prevent him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment, resulting in a TDIU for the relevant periods.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for retinopathy and neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities are being remanded due to scheduling difficulties with VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including neck disability, GERD, erectile dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. The claims were remanded for further action on some issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to lack of permanent and total disability affecting locomotion.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for various conditions claimed as resulting from exposure to herbicides, including diabetes mellitus, osteoarthritis, bilateral hand disability (dupuytren’s contracture), blindness of the left eye, tinea pedis, hiatal hernia with gastric nodule and erosive duodenopathy, bilateral leg pain, bilateral arm pain, and bilateral foot pain. The appeals were dismissed due to the Veteran's death.