Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2019

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus. The issues of service connection for chloracne, sciatic nerve peripheral neuropathy, skin cancer, and gall bladder removal are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a heart condition was denied due to lack of timely filing. The Board also remanded the claims for diabetes, diabetic retinopathy, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for further medical evaluation regarding his ability to operate a vehicle given his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for a new VA examination and review of VistA images, as there were duty-to-assist errors prior to the February 2019 rating decision.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status was denied because his disabilities are not service-connected, and he does not meet the criteria for SMC.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded by the Board.,Service connection has not been granted for hypertension, kidney condition, or TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, attributing it to Agent Orange exposure during service. Service connection for erectile dysfunction is also granted.

The Board has granted higher ratings of 20 percent for left and right lower extremity sciatic peripheral neuropathy, but the TDIU claim is remanded due to a lack of schedular criteria.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bladder disorder, as well as his increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to its inextricability with these other issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, as these conditions are presumed to be due to herbicide agent exposure during his military service. The Veteran needs to undergo a VA examination to determine if his peripheral neuropathy is related to his active service.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to establish service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities. The case is being remanded to determine if the Veteran was exposed to asbestos during his service and, if so, whether he developed lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as a result.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of his lower extremities were denied. The current disability ratings remain at 10 percent for each affected nerve.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and remanded the issues of hypertension, peripheral sensory neuropathy of upper extremities, and lower extremities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetic retinopathy, diabetes mellitus type 2, and bilateral peripheral neuropathy, are found to be so severe that they prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service connection claim for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, linked to herbicide exposure during his Vietnam service, is granted. The Board found that there was sufficient evidence to support presumptive service connection based on Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of peripheral neuropathy in the upper and lower extremities have been granted, with a rating of 20 percent effective from the date on appeal prior to July 21, 2018. Service connection has also been established for these conditions.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are all rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations.,Effective July 20, 2018, the Veteran is granted a 20 percent rating for his bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy affecting the femoral nerve.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's back disability, including rating higher than 10 percent for back disability and rating higher than 10 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity and left lower extremity. The claims are also remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathy, and peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities all stem from the common etiology of diabetes. When combined under VA’s Combined Ratings Table, they meet the minimum threshold for a TDIU rating.