Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was received by VA on June 10, 2013. The effective date of the award is set at this date as it is later than when entitlement to a TDIU arose based on his February 3, 2012 VA examination.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, neck, and lower extremity neuropathy. The VA examiners concluded that these conditions were not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, diabetes, peripheral neuropathies, tinnitus, and hearing loss) render him unemployable, leading to a grant of a total disability rating due to individual unemployability.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, bilateral upper and lower extremity polyneuropathy, vasculitis, psoriatic arthritis, and osteoporosis as the evidence did not show these conditions were related to or caused by the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus, type II was denied. Service connection for neuropathy of the left lower extremity associated with diabetes mellitus, type II, is granted.,The Veteran’s skin condition (tinea cruris) remains at issue and requires further examination to determine its current severity.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, hypertension, and bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service or toxic herbicide exposure.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for duodenal and gastric ulcers, chronic B-12 deficiency with liver enzyme disorder, diabetes mellitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD, schizoaffective mood disorder, bipolar type, and pain disorder due to psychological and general medical conditions), a skin disorder (recurring back cysts), fibromyalgia, hyperlipidemia, a neurological disorder (to include waist-down paralysis, seizures, blackouts, neuropathy, and Morton’s neuroma), arthritis, hypertension, a thyroglossal duct cyst, and T10-11 spinal osteophyte and degenerative disc disease with muscle pain spasm and lower back-leg weakness (thoracolumbar spine disorder).

The Veteran's service-connected Type 2 diabetes mellitus has required only an oral hypoglycemic agent and a restricted diet, without the need for insulin or regulation of activities. The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and peripheral vascular disease due to inadequate opinions regarding whether these conditions are aggravated by his service-connected coronary artery disease.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence of exposure to herbicide agents or other chemicals during service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a VA examination and further development due to insufficient evidence on file.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete or conflicting medical opinions and additional information is needed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy and his active duty service, including herbicide exposure. Additional development is needed.

The Veteran's service connection for Type 2 diabetes is granted. The cases of left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are remanded due to the need for further medical examination.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to evaluate the Veteran's current severity of PTSD and TDIU. The effective date for TDIU remains July 27, 2010.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, as well as erectile dysfunction, all secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of service connection and rating for various conditions, including anxiety disorder, diabetes mellitus, heart disability, peripheral neuropathy in the lower and upper extremities, as well as TDIU. The Veteran will be provided with new VA examinations to address these issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, as well as a skin condition, due to herbicide agent exposure. The claims are being remanded because an examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ was granted. Additionally, his claims for increased ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy in both lower extremities were also granted.