Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded four issues for further development and readjudication. These include service connection for a respiratory disability, hypertension (due to herbicide exposure), erectile dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is granted as service connected. The claims for a left foot condition and a right foot condition are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings of Wolff Parkinson White syndrome prior to August 8, 2016 and from August 8, 2016 is denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine (claimed as back condition) and motor neuropathy of the lower extremities are remanded.

The appeal for diabetes mellitus type II is dismissed.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is granted.,The appeal for a prostate condition and heart condition are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities has been granted a 40 percent rating, effective October 3, 2019. The RO also increased the rating for the left lower extremity to 30 percent from September 6, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 20 percent for a cervical spine strain with DJD, DDD, and right hand radiculopathy has been granted. The appeal is also granted to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for sciatica of the right lower extremity.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, right sciatica and sleep apnea were denied. The claim for TDIU prior to April 2, 2013 was also denied.

The Board has found that the Veteran's notice of disagreement was timely received via facsimile on June 24, 2014. The appeal is now remanded for further development regarding whether new and material evidence was obtained to reopen service connection claims for various conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for residuals of brachial to distal ulnar artery bypass of the left upper extremity, finding no additional disability due to VA treatment.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and to obtain VA treatment records. The issues of increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities are also remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and a nerve disorder, including peripheral neuropathy. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.,For the entire initial rating period on appeal, a higher disability rating in excess of 10 percent for diabetes mellitus type II has not been granted.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, finding that there was no link to service and no evidence of herbicide exposure. The Veteran's symptoms did not manifest until years after separation from service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance should be remanded to obtain additional medical records and provide a medical opinion regarding whether he required regular aid and attendance due solely to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both upper and lower extremities due to duty-to-assist errors. The VA will request a new examination to determine if early-onset peripheral neuropathy is present, and whether it is related to Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II is found to be the primary cause of his diagnosed hypertension, kidney disability, peripheral neuropathies in multiple extremities. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

A 20 percent rating for service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity and right lower extremity associated with diabetes mellitus type 2 is granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypothyroidism due to herbicide exposure, PTSD, and diabetes mellitus type 2 is remanded.

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability rating for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities associated with diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's claim for service connection for vitamin B-12 deficiency is remanded, as well as his claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus prior to March 14, 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, and diabetic retinopathy, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU based on the combined effect of these conditions.