Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2020

The Veteran's hypertension and hypertensive kidney disease are granted service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The Board also grants service connection for vascular insufficiency, AAA, lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral foot ulcers as related to the service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, a psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction due to incomplete development.

The Board has remanded the claims for entitlement to service connection for cervical spine, right hip, and right knee conditions due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's hypertension, high cholesterol, GERD, headaches, LLE peripheral neuropathy, and RLE peripheral neuropathy are denied as there is no competent indication of a relationship to service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus (DM) was denied, and his TDIU claim was also denied.

The Board has restored the Veteran's ratings for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy of the femoral nerve from 20 percent to 20 percent effective as of May 15, 2020.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and higher ratings due to insufficient VA opinions regarding etiology and severity of the disabilities, as well as inadequate notice provided to the appellant.

The Veteran's reduction of a 40 percent rating for diabetes mellitus (DM) was improper, and the restoration of the 40 percent rating is granted. The Board also found that the Veteran warrants a total disability based upon individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and allergic rhinitis have been rated as appropriate, but his peripheral neuropathy and hypertension due to Agent Orange exposure are not currently service connected.,The Board has determined that additional medical examinations and opinions are needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy and hypertension.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for a new VA examination due to a duty-to-assist error, as the Veteran's diabetic peripheral neuropathy of his lower extremities may have worsened since his last VA examination.

The Veteran's status post lower lobe resection, pulmonary fibrosis, and lung nodules are granted as service-connected. The claim for peripheral neuropathy due to service-connected thoracic spine strain is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service.,The Veteran's pancreatic cancer and residuals of thyroid cancer are related to his exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection and initial rating claims related to peripheral artery disease and neuropathy due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, which has been granted for special monthly compensation.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess his diabetes mellitus and related peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, which may affect his employability.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU and DEA benefits prior to September 23, 2013 was denied as the evidence did not show that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable at that time.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are causing significant functional impairment, including difficulty with balance and walking. The Board has referred the claim of service connection for neuropathy and his amputation to the AOJ and ordered a VA examination to determine eligibility for specially adapted housing or special home adaptation grant.

The Board has denied service connection for a gallbladder disability, ischemic heart disease, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The claim of reopening an adjustment disorder with depressive mood is also remanded.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy, finding no link between the condition and the Veteran's military service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal seeking reconsideration of the June 2013 rating decision has been dismissed. The claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities was already on appeal at the time of a May 2017 rating decision, and his PTSD rating was reduced from 70% to 30%. Service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities was granted in May 2017.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations for the Veteran's right and left arm conditions, peripheral neuropathy of both upper extremities, and left leg condition are inadequate. The Veteran must be afforded new examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.