Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development due to inadequate VA medical opinions and new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities have been granted, with specific ratings assigned. The Veteran is still seeking higher initial ratings for sciatic neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral eye disability, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The case is remanded for extraschedular TDIU consideration.

The Veteran's right lower extremity neuropathy is now rated at 20 percent from July 18, 2013 onwards. Prior to that date, the condition was rated at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the issues of increased ratings for diabetes mellitus type II and related peripheral neuropathies of the lower extremities prior to April 19, 2016. The Veteran's hypertension claim due to herbicide exposure is also on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, diabetes mellitus associated with herbicide exposure, and related secondary conditions are remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of PTSD was dismissed. The Board granted the TDIU claim based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to obtain missing VA treatment records, SSA records, and private treatment records. A VA examination is also needed to determine the nature and etiology of GERD, as well as an addendum opinion regarding his claimed bilateral knee disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU was withdrawn, and the Board dismissed it. The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on his need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for CAD, peripheral neuropathy of the LLE, LUE, RLE, and RUE, and ED were denied as his effective dates are set at April 2, 2013.,No earlier effective date is granted due to lack of prior formal or informal claim.

The Veteran's initial ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities have been denied as his disability has not met or approximated criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, peripheral neuropathy of the feet, and erectile dysfunction (ED) have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides in Thailand during his service but did not grant presumptive service connection based on this exposure as he served near the air base perimeter rather than directly at it.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and occupational experience, thus the claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, Sleep Apnea, HTN, DM, TBI, and Bilateral Neuropathy due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active military service.

The Veteran's lumbar spinal stenosis was not incurred in or related to his service.,Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are likely due to acoustic trauma during service in Vietnam.,Tinnitus is less likely than not related to the Veteran’s service, as there were no threshold shifts noted.,The phantom pain from amputated left fingers may be aggravated by diabetes mellitus type II.,Peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity and left upper extremity are secondary to diabetes mellitus type II.,Peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity and left lower extremity are secondary to diabetes mellitus type II.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder and polysubstance dependence) is not related to service, as he does not have a diagnosis of PTSD.,A rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus type II requires further examination.,Residuals of prostate cancer require an evaluation from February 1, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a medical opinion.

The Veteran is granted eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing due to his service-connected disabilities, including diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities. The appeal seeking a special home adaptation grant is dismissed as moot because he is also eligible for specially adapted housing. He is also granted eligibility for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or other conveyance and necessary adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities associated with diabetes mellitus, type II, is granted an initial 20 percent disability rating prior to January 18, 2017, and a 40 percent thereafter.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient opinions regarding service connection and exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder, bilateral upper extremity neuropathy, and an acquired psychiatric disorder have been denied. The Board found no new evidence that would reopen the claim for cervical spine disorder, and there is insufficient evidence to establish service connection for the other conditions.