Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities is being remanded.,The Veteran's claim for increased rating for coronary artery disease is also being remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for prior to July 10, 2017 is granted. The Board also found that the Veteran meets criteria for a TDIU on a schedular basis as of January 12, 2010 and grants an increased rating for his bilateral wrist disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left lower extremity neuropathy due to Agent Orange exposure, as well as secondary to diabetes mellitus type 2. The Veteran's claim will be reviewed with a focus on whether his neuropathies are caused or aggravated by these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability with foot drop was granted due to the submission of new and relevant evidence.,Claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity were denied as there was no new and relevant evidence presented.

The Board has restored the Veteran's disability ratings for diabetic sensory neuropathy of his left and right lower extremities (femoral nerve) from noncompensable to 10 percent, effective December 1, 2019. The reduction in rating was improper due to lack of improvement in the Veteran’s condition.

The Veteran's diabetic peripheral neuropathy affecting the sciatic nerve of both lower extremities is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's initial rating for nephropathy was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher than 30 percent rating.,Ratings for right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy were also denied, with ratings of 10 percent from March 9, 2015 to April 10, 2019, and 40 percent and 30 percent respectively after April 10, 2019.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II with diabetic retinopathy and neuropathy is being remanded for further evaluation. Additionally, the need for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or housebound status is also being remanded.

The Board has decided that SMC due to the need for Aid and Attendance is granted. The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD, depressive disorder, and vascular neurocognitive disorder) is remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted service connection. The Veteran's type two diabetes mellitus, bilateral open angle glaucoma, and tinnitus are not granted increased ratings. The Veteran's sinusitis, tonsillectomy residuals, right wrist Dequervain's syndrome, right ring finger fracture, erectile dysfunction, and right epididymitis status post epididymectomy do not warrant increased ratings. A TDIU is granted from October 1, 2007 to February 28, 2013, and from January 22, 2018 on.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that a TDIU is not warranted.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, Type II, is granted as presumptively related to herbicide exposure. His peripheral neuropathy affecting the bilateral feet is also granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The claims for increased ratings of right and left leg lumbar radiculopathy are denied.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of all four limbs due to exposure to herbicide agents as his death during the appeal process made it impossible to proceed with the merits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left upper, right upper, left lower, and right lower extremity neuropathy as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated his right ankle disability and left leg neuropathy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) prior to April 13, 2009 due to insufficient evidence showing he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus type II (DM II) due to herbicide exposure is granted. The claims for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, as well as erectile dysfunction, are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left lower extremity neuropathy, left upper extremity neuropathy, right lower extremity neuropathy, and right upper extremity neuropathy have been denied as the evidence does not support a causal link to active service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are rated at 60 percent, the highest schedular rating available for voiding dysfunction.,The Veteran is not found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.