Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, peripheral vascular disease, diabetes, and neuropathy, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have been granted a disability rating of 20 percent, effective from February 8, 2017. The TDIU claim for the period from February 8, 2017 to May 1, 2019 has also been granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative disc disease L4-5 with generalized disc bulging and disc protrusions (lower back injury) due to lack of a causal link between the current disability and service.,The Board also denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy secondary to lower back injury as there was no evidence linking the condition to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, including as secondary to a service-connected lower back condition, due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower right and left extremities is granted at a 20% rating, effective September 27, 2018.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete service treatment and personnel records, including a lack of complete VA treatment records. The Board will obtain the Veteran’s complete records and schedule him for appropriate VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has ordered remand for the following claims: increased ratings for residuals of plantar wart removal left foot and sensory neuropathy of the left foot; increased rating for MDD prior to May 19, 2014; increased rating for MDD from May 19, 2014; TDIU prior to April 22, 2009; service connection for bilateral pes planus and any neurological disorder of the left foot other than sensory neuropathy. Remand is required due to outstanding records that need to be obtained.

The Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities. The claims for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities and hypertension are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, esophageal constriction, erectile dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities as secondary to service-connected diabetes. Service connection was denied for face peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for DMII, left leg neuropathy, and right leg neuropathy due to new evidence received since the last denial. The claims are now pending for further review.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease, bilateral hearing loss, and peripheral neuropathy was granted. The claims for PTSD, glaucoma, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disability were reopened but denied on the merits.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings in excess of 20 percent for peripheral neuropathy, sciatic and femoral nerves in both lower extremities have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, initial ratings for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The issues of service connection for sleep apnea and initial ratings for peripheral neuropathy are being remanded for new etiology opinions from a VA examiner, while the TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claims.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of various types of peripheral neuropathy and diabetes mellitus due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation due to loss of use of lower extremities is remanded. The case will be returned after the Veteran undergoes a VA examination to assess his service-connected disabilities and determine if they amount to such loss.

The Veteran's diabetes is rated at 40 percent disabling for the entire period on appeal. The Board also granted a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's multiple service-connected physical disabilities render him unable to secure and maintain employment, thus meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has remanded multiple issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Depression), tinnitus, hypertensive cardiovascular disease, diabetic neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, benign prostate hyperplasia, diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction, bilateral hearing loss, and TDIU. The remand also includes a request for VA examination to determine if the Veteran has diagnoses of diabetic neuropathy of the upper and lower limbs.