Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2020

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is granted as service connected based on presumed exposure to an herbicide agent in the Republic of Vietnam. The Board has also remanded for further examination and opinion regarding hypertension, eye disability (claimed as loss of visual acuity), and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities.

The Veteran's right median neuropathy is currently rated at 50 percent, effective April 19, 2010. The Board has found that a higher rating is not warranted and the case is remanded for further action regarding TDIU.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, entitlement to TDIU benefits, and SMC on and after May 1, 2010. These matters will be reconsidered with consideration given to all pertinent evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has granted service connection for headaches. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, alone or the combined effects of all service-connected conditions, do not render him unemployable for the period prior to March 31, 2017. The Board finds that TDIU is not warranted in this case.

The Veteran's right lower extremity neuropathy was granted an effective date of May 17, 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone are not of such nature and severity as to have prevented him from securing or following any substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of VA examination and updated treatment records. The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is based on presumed exposure to herbicides during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II. The AOJ is instructed to schedule VA examinations to address these issues.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, and the Board dismissed it.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for loss of the sense of smell, taste, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and muscle atrophy are denied as there is no competent and probative evidence establishing a relationship to service or a service-connected disability.,Service connection for coronary artery disease and pain disorder affecting the entire body with psychological factors is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's alleged exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot numbness (peripheral neuropathy) and psychiatric disorder were reopened. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied. The case is remanded for further review of the psychiatric disorder claim.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and has remanded the cases regarding rating increases for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities.

The Board has remanded several claims for additional development, including those related to the Veteran's neck disorder, neuropathy of bilateral upper and lower extremities, hip disorder, sleep apnea, right knee surgical scar, traumatic arthritis of the right knee, bilateral hearing loss, lumbar strain with degenerative osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, foot disorders (pes planus, metatarsalgia, hammertoes, hallux valgus, plantar fasciitis, and degenerative joint disease), and psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the cause of death was septic shock, but is unable to make a fully informed decision on whether the Veteran's service-connected conditions contributed to his death. The VA examiner will need to review all relevant medical records and provide an opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and incomplete VA treatment records. The issues include prostate disability, COPD, arthritis of various joints, neuropathy of the lower extremities, and SMC.

The Veteran's sciatic neuropathy of both lower extremities is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board has remanded the case for further development and re-adjudication.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and diabetic neuropathy due to insufficient reasoning in the previous decision. The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus, type II is being reviewed again with a new addendum opinion.

The Board has remanded several issues related to PTSD, peripheral neuropathy ratings, and SMC based on need of aid and attendance. The effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD remains denied.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU and basic eligibility for education benefits under Chapter 35 (DEA) from December 17, 2008. The effective date of these awards has been set at this time.