Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2020

The Veteran's gynecological disability and right lower extremity neuropathy have been granted service connection, with the gynecological disability receiving a 50% rating and the right lower extremity neuropathy receiving a 10% initial rating. The right lower extremity neuropathy has now received an increased to a 20% rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus the TDIU claim is granted. The DEA claim is remanded for further consideration.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of February 15, 1996, for his service-connected left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The decision found that the criteria for an earlier effective date were not met due to the finality of the November 1997 rating decision.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to various disabilities, including PTSD, hypertension, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, right ankle disability, neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, chronic fatigue syndrome, joint pain, muscle pain, headaches, cardiovascular symptoms, respiratory problems, and gastrointestinal symptoms. The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed for these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities, as well as erectile dysfunction, all caused by diabetes mellitus. The rating assigned is 100%.

The Board denied a temporary total rating for post-surgical convalescence of the right elbow due to lack of medical evidence showing at least one month of required convalescence following surgery.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus was denied because new and material evidence had not been received. His claims for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction were also denied as they are not related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to September 20, 2013 for service connection for prostate cancer, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerve of the left lower extremity, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerve of the right lower extremity, erectile dysfunction, and diabetes have been denied.,The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to September 20, 2013 for service connection for prostate cancer, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerve of the left lower extremity, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerve of the right lower extremity, erectile dysfunction, and diabetes have been denied.,The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to September 20, 2013 for service connection for prostate cancer, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerve of the left lower extremity, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerve of the right lower extremity, erectile dysfunction, and diabetes have been denied.,The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to September 20, 2013 for service connection for prostate cancer, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerve of the left lower extremity, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerve of the right lower extremity, erectile dysfunction, and diabetes have been denied.,The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to September 20, 2013 for service connection for prostate cancer, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerve of the left lower extremity, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerve of the right lower extremity, erectile dysfunction, and diabetes have been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, given his educational background and occupational experience.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee disabilities, right knee disabilities, and right-sided neuropathy. The decision also notes that the Veteran's current right-sided neuropathy may be a symptom of her service-connected migraines.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and rating determinations. The appellant's type 2 diabetes mellitus is now service connected due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for low back disability, sleep disturbances, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The claim for a low back disability is denied.,The claims for sleep disturbances and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide agent exposure, as it requires a medical opinion on the etiology of his condition.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a TDIU effective September 4, 2018.,Effective April 17, 2012, the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities have been rated at 10%.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II was reopened but denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,Service connection for left lower extremity neuropathy, left upper extremity neuropathy, right lower extremity neuropathy, and right upper extremity neuropathy were all denied as the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis related to active service.,The Veteran's sleep apnea was denied because there is no evidence of its onset during or shortly after service.,Service connection for hypertension was denied due to lack of in-service diagnosis and no increase in disability during service.,Service connection for pressure in eyes was denied as the condition did not exist at the time of entrance into service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for a vision disability is being remanded due to the addition of new evidence since the most recent Statements of the Case.,The Veteran's appeals for service connection for traumatic brain injury, acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), bilateral median neuropathy, bilateral ulnar neuropathy, cervical spine disability, memory loss, carpal tunnel syndrome, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and heart disability are being remanded due to the addition of new evidence since the most recent Statements of the Case.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, psychiatric disability, diabetic neuropathy, diabetes, stroke residuals, tinnitus, and bilateral foot neuropathy, prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and vocational experience. The Board has granted entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected diabetes mellitus is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and evaluation of his condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a higher combined rating, finding that the RO properly applied the bilateral factor to his service-connected disabilities of the left and right upper extremities. The calculated combined rating of 70 percent effective February 9, 1989 was accurate.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including effective date determinations and increased rating claims for various disabilities. The main reasons are the need to obtain additional VA treatment records and conduct further examinations.