Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, myelodysplastic syndrome, bilateral upper and lower neuropathy disabilities, amputation of the toes and right leg, and kidney failure disability due to herbicide exposure in Thailand.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities and for TDIU on an extraschedular basis. The case is being returned for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both his right and left lower extremities, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is currently rated at 20 percent from April 12, 2018 and a separate 20 percent rating is granted from November 16, 2019.,A higher rating for the entire appeal period or for a specific condition (DC 5162) is denied.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent since July 2010 and denied for a higher rating. The Veteran’s chronic kidney disease with diabetic nephropathy and hypertension was granted a 60 percent disability rating from September 23, 2009.,Service connection for unspecified depressive disorder and sleep apnea is granted. Service connection for skin disorder and compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss are denied. The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for left lower extremity neuropathy prior to October 7, 2020 was denied.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 40 percent for left lower extremity neuropathy following October 7, 2020 was denied.

The Board has granted reconsideration of the June 2011 claim to reopen service connection for a skin disability of the groin and feet. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating under Diagnostic Code 7913. Increased evaluations were denied for diabetic neuropathy in both lower extremities and diabetic nephropathy.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder is rated at a 70 percent rating, effective from the date of this decision.,Service connection for right lower extremity motor neuropathy-axonal is granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, type II; pulmonary disorder (including a pulmonary diffusion defect and emphysema); peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity; peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity; thyroid disorder (including thyroid cancer and a thyroid nodule); and skin cancer are all granted due to herbicide exposure in Thailand. The Veteran's lung nodules claim is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of a cold injury, left foot and right foot have been granted.,The Veteran's service connection claim for tinnitus has also been granted.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, left upper extremity diabetic neuropathy, and right upper extremity diabetic neuropathy. The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development related to these issues.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neurological conditions, including Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, neuropathy, and peripheral myopathy, are related to service, specifically exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. However, further examination is needed to clarify the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed exposure to chemical substances in service and for additional development of his VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities have been remanded due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities remain pending.

The Veteran's appeal for earlier effective dates for service connection and increased ratings is dismissed or denied.,The Veteran's claim of an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for bilateral cataracts is denied.,The Veteran's claims of earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are denied.,Increased ratings for left and right upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are remanded.

The Board has denied a rating greater than 20 percent for type 2 diabetes mellitus and has remanded the issue of TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for right upper extremity and left upper extremity neuropathy, tremors, and prostate disability. The Veteran's claims were not supported by the evidence of record.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's RLE disability, including peripheral neuropathy and peroneal nerve injury, is related to his July 1999 VA surgery. The claim will be returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings of peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, as well as the right and left upper extremities. The Veteran's disability ratings remain at 40 percent for RLE and LLE, and 30/20 percent for RUE and LUE respectively.