Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, as his combined disability rating of 70% already reflects the impact on his employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly PTSD and coronary artery disease, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and secure substantial gainful employment, thus meeting the criteria for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, erectile dysfunction, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to in-service herbicide exposure. The AOJ is instructed to verify the Veteran’s claimed herbicide exposure while stationed in Korea and obtain all relevant medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, sleep apnea, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, and neuropathy have been granted. The appeals for service connection for these conditions are all secondary to service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and its complications are rated at 20 percent, with a TDIU granted from October 18, 2013.,Diabetic neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50% from May 13, 2010 to August 1, 2018 and at 70% since then. The Veteran is not entitled to a TDIU during the period prior to August 1, 2018.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for several service-connected conditions are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations and treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy, high cholesterol, and degenerative arthritis, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease with chronic congestive heart failure, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral lower extremity diabetic sensory-motor peripheral neuropathy have resulted in a TDIU from September 6, 2008 onwards. The Veteran is also entitled to SMC at the housebound rate since December 29, 2010.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, heart disability, digestive disorder, erectile dysfunction, neuropathy of the hands and feet, and skin cancer, finding no evidence of herbicide exposure or radiation exposure that could support a claim. The Board also found insufficient evidence to establish secondary service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that the condition is at least as likely as not related to exposure to herbicide agents during service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is granted service connection as it is due to his already service-connected back disability. The Veteran's psychiatric disorders are not rated higher than 70 percent, and TDIU from November 12, 2015 to July 7, 2016 is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for continued VA vocational rehabilitation benefits due to a lack of his complete VA vocational rehabilitation claims file. The Board also requests that any outstanding VA and private treatment records be obtained.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased evaluations and TDIU due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work experience.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's hip disabilities, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathies, and acquired psychiatric disorders. The claims are being returned for further development including VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the VA examination reports from March 19, 2015 and all VA treatment records from July 2010 to present need to be obtained before further readjudication of the earlier effective date claims for peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, a headache disability (due to PTSD), diabetes mellitus, lumbar spine disability, sleep disability, prostate disability, and psychiatric disability other than PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of consent form for the January 2015 chemotherapy treatment, and an additional VA opinion is needed to determine if the peripheral neuropathy was caused or aggravated by this treatment.