Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2019

The Board has granted an effective date of April 9, 2007 for the award of a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected heart disability. The decision is based on factual evidence that the Veteran was unable to maintain gainful employment by reason of his service-connected disabilities as of April 9, 2007.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluation of diabetes mellitus and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, anxiety, chronic sleep impairment, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus type II, and diabetic related neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, have precluded him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. Effective January 31, 2014, a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding service connection for neuropathy of the bilateral feet before a decision was made.

The Veteran's claims for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, dizziness, vertigo, loss of balance and falling, groin pain secondary to pes cavus, fracture to the left foot, ankle, and fibula, and residuals of a head injury have all been denied as there is no evidence that these conditions began during service or are related to any service-connected disability.,Service connection was not granted because the Veteran did not present sufficient medical evidence to establish a nexus between his current disabilities and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis for the period of April 29, 2005 to February 3, 2006 due to lack of evidence showing he was unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

Your claim for service connection for bilateral upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy has been fully granted, and you are now receiving the full benefit sought.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for peripheral vascular disease, peripheral neuropathy, and a breathing disorder due to inadequate examinations and incomplete service records.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral diabetic peripheral neuropathy and total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to outstanding private treatment records and a need for new VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to herbicide agent exposure, specifically Agent Orange.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims for service connection for a heart disability, hypertension, type II diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed peripheral neuropathy (PN) of the bilateral lower extremities, specifically whether it is related to his service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has vacated its previous decisions denying service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities due to a lack of consideration of VA treatment records. The cases are now remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims for service connection, including diabetes, heart disorder, lower back condition, peripheral neuropathy of upper and lower extremities, hearing loss, tinnitus, GERD, and service connection. The issues are inextricably intertwined due to their interrelated nature.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart condition, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as there is no evidence of herbicide exposure during active duty.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was not incurred in or caused by any incident of active service, and it has not been aggravated or caused by his low back disability.,The Veteran’s left upper extremity sensory peripheral neuropathy is less likely than not caused or aggravated by his service-connected low back disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection due to a failure to provide adequate evidence and notification, finding no clear and unmistakable error in the original decisions.

The Board has remanded two issues related to service connection for neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities due to a duty to assist error. The examiner is required to determine if these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service, including exposure to herbicides while in Vietnam.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU effective August 31, 2010 due to his service-connected disabilities rendering him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in loss of use of his feet, and the Board finds that he does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of one or both feet.