Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2020

The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. The claims for earlier effective dates for PTSD, GERD, and sleep apnea are denied. The claim for a 30% initial rating for GERD is granted. The claim for a higher initial rating than 50% for obstructive sleep apnea is denied. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities is granted.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is rated at 40% since December 27, 2017. His peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity remains rated at 20%. The rating for radiculopathy has been granted, but the rating for peripheral neuropathy has not.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy, specifically whether it is related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine his eligibility for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for left leg sciatica, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, service connection for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and service connection for right leg sciatica due to unclear findings from a previous VA examination. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other claims.

The Veteran's claim for a separate compensable rating for a bilateral ankle orthopedic disability is denied as he does not have an independent ankle disability, and his tarsal tunnel syndrome and peripheral neuropathy are already service-connected.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective October 10, 2013. The Veteran seeks an increased rating.,For the period prior to June 6, 2016, the Veteran’s service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, as well as increased ratings for PTSD and DM. The Veteran's prostate cancer was awarded a 100% rating effective June 27, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetic retinopathy, right and left lower extremity neuropathies, and hypertension have been rated. The initial rating for diabetic retinopathy has been granted from May 24, 2013 to August 25, 2015 at a 10% level, increased to 30% from August 26, 2015 to January 23, 2019, and to 100% thereafter. The initial ratings for right and left lower extremity neuropathies have been granted at 40% since April 28, 2011. Service connection for hypertension has not been established.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unemployable, and the Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus type II, vision loss, hypertension, kidney/renal disorder, heart disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD). However, these claims are being remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and other development that may be needed.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's employment and income, which is crucial for determining his eligibility for TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities have been reopened. Service connection is granted for diabetes mellitus, type II, as due to herbicide exposure. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for clarification of his employment history and an evaluation of his service-connected disabilities' impact on his ability to work.

The Board has granted service connection for left eye optic neuropathy and denied service connection for residuals of a stent placement for a peripheral vascular deficiency. The appeal regarding the right upper extremity condition is remanded, as well as the appeal regarding the left upper extremity condition.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, diabetic heart disease, unspecified depressive disorder, abdomen scar, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity have been granted service connection. The effective dates for these awards are December 13, 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly those related to diabetes and stroke, necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance. The Board has granted SMC based on this need.

The Board has found that new evidence supports a remand for the claims of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, to include as secondary to herbicide agent exposure. The Veteran's contention is that his peripheral neuropathy is related to his conceded exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been granted, with the effective dates being determined based on when his claims were received. The TDIU claim has also been granted.

The Veteran's right upper extremity neuropathy was restored to a 40% rating, effective September 9, 2019.,The Veteran's left upper extremity neuropathy was restored to a 30% rating, effective September 9, 2019.