Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and related neuropathy of the lower extremities as secondary to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran seeks service connection on a secondary basis due to his pre-existing service-connected left knee and ankle injuries.

The Veteran's fracture of the L3 transverse process is rated at 20 percent. Service connection for other conditions, including a separate lumbosacral spine disability and peripheral vascular disabilities, are denied. Other service-connected issues remain pending.

The Board has dismissed the claim for an earlier effective date for bilateral upper extremities neuropathy. The hypertension claim is remanded due to new evidence and need for a new opinion.

The Board denied a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities not preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, scheduling a VA examination to assess occupational impairment due to service-connected disabilities, and clarifying the relevance of the Veteran's participation on a tribal council. The TDIU issue is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the rating assigned for the Veteran’s service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee meniscus tear status post total knee arthroplasty. The claims for left and right leg disabilities are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence submitted by his attorney and additional VA treatment records. The claims are being reviewed to determine if there is a link between the Veteran's current conditions and active service, or other relevant factors.

The Veteran's right upper extremity diabetic neuropathy was granted a disability rating of 70 percent effective September 12, 2019.,The Veteran's left upper extremity diabetic neuropathy was granted a disability rating of 60 percent effective September 12, 2019.,Service connection for diabetic nephropathy was granted with an effective date of July 29, 2016.,SMC based on loss of use of both hands was granted with an effective date of July 29, 2016.,SMC based on need of regular aid and attendance due to loss of use of both hands was granted.

The Veteran's claim for reopening and granting service connection for left knee disorder, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss has been granted. The claims for respiratory disorder, colon disorder, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are remanded due to outstanding medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and peripheral neuropathy associated with diabetes mellitus, prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy in both the right and left lower extremities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable. The Board finds the VA examination inadequate and remands for an updated opinion regarding service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, which may be secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of PTSD, bilateral peripheral neuropathies, erectile dysfunction, and retinopathy are remanded due to the need for new examinations to assess current effects.

The reduction in disability rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss from 10 percent to noncompensable was proper.,An increased rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied.,The claim for an earlier effective date for the reduction in disability rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is dismissed as moot due to its detrimental nature.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, to include as secondary to toxic herbicide exposure, is denied.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine arthritis and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's service-connected lower extremity conditions are being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his disabilities and their impact on his ability to use his feet.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, and colon cancer were denied as the evidence did not show a link between these conditions and his military service.,Service connection was also denied for initial ratings of more than 20 percent for right lower extremity and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent disability rating throughout the appeal period, and he was granted entitlement to a TDIU prior to September 28, 2017.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for additional evidence related to the Veteran's service in Vietnam.