Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2020

The Veteran's kidney cancer, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy are all granted service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes and related peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, have rendered him unemployable. The Board granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran's attorney is denied additional attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the February 2019 rating decision because he has already received the properly calculated attorney fees for 20 percent of the total award.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, as well as his claim for a compensable rating for a left flank scar, have been denied. His claim for bilateral hearing loss has been remanded due to the VA's failure to obtain relevant service treatment records.

Service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, is restored effective December 1, 2019.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and found that the Veteran is not entitled to a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, as his combined rating does not meet the required percentage threshold.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with its previous directives. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is being reviewed for secondary service connection.

Effective dates of December 19, 2012, are granted for the establishment of service connection for left and right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy.,From July 27, 2011, to February 25, 2020, an initial schedular rating of 70 percent for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ischemic heart disease, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, and neuropathy of the lower extremities as secondary to diabetes mellitus have been granted. The left knee condition and psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression) claims are remanded.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for service-connected left wrist scar is denied, and the issue of service connection for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is remanded.

The Veteran's HTN is granted as secondary to his service-connected DM-II. The polyneuropathy of the left upper extremity remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus and associated peripheral neuropathy were granted with an effective date of April 15, 2015. The conditions are presumed to be related to herbicide agent exposure in Vietnam.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's service-connected left foot neuropathy, finding that the disability is moderately severe but not severe enough to warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy is being remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The Board will consider whether the condition is related to exposure to herbicide agents and diesel fuel during service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity neuropathy, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to in-service herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, thus denying his claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to herbicide exposure for diabetes mellitus, type 2; loss of vision and use of a creative organ (likely referring to hand function); loss of fingernails; peripheral neuropathy; circulatory condition of the legs; bilateral hearing loss; stroke and related complications; and PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection for PTSD and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities has been dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the service connection for idiopathic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, including whether it is related to herbicide agent exposure or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer residuals, have prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment since December 19, 2013. The Board granted TDIU as of that date.