Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, finding that his exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand is causally linked to his current condition.

The Veteran's disability ratings for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were restored to 10% effective July 28, 2017. The Veteran was also granted TDIU prior to March 30, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for type II diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathy of the lower extremities, and peripheral vascular disease were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus as secondary to service-connected bilateral knee arthritis and lumbar spondylosis with degenerative joint disease. However, the appeal regarding lower extremity peripheral neuropathy secondary to type II diabetes mellitus is remanded due to unclear evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy has worsened since his last VA examination in 2016, and he is being asked to provide a new VA examination to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for venous insufficiency, fatigue in the legs, an enlarged testicle, and soft tissue sarcoma have been withdrawn. The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus (secondary to herbicide exposure), erectile dysfunction (as secondary to prostate cancer), peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, thyroid disorder, tremors, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, gout, and kidney disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral upper extremity neuropathy, finding that it is due to toxic herbicide exposure during service in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete evidence and additional development is needed.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 60 percent for diabetic nephropathy with hypertension and his TDIU prior to June 26, 2017 were both denied. The evidence did not show the severity of the Veteran’s condition met or approximated the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7541.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide agent exposure. The appeal is based on the Veteran's claim that he repaired radio and communication equipment contaminated with Agent Orange at Fort Bragg in North Carolina.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a mood disorder, diabetes mellitus type II and associated peripheral neuropathy, and arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, prevented him from securing or following any substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted an effective date of September 17, 2010 for the award of TDIU.

The Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the requirements under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 for DIC benefits, as he did not receive a total rating for at least ten years immediately prior to his death.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his skin disability claim was granted. His claims for service connection for a pulmonary disability, an eye disability, and hearing loss were denied on the merits. The Veteran's bladder cancer claim is remanded. Other issues are also remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and renal failure have been granted service connection. The Veteran is also granted a TDIU for the entire period of appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for coronary artery disease, including as due to herbicide agent exposure, has been withdrawn and is dismissed. The Board also remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and skin condition.

The Board has remanded three issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including diabetes mellitus and its secondary effects on peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and amputation of the left great toe. The decision notes that more recent VA treatment records are needed to determine if the Veteran now meets the criteria for a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted service connection for sarcoidosis and bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, as secondary to sarcoidosis. The Veteran's current conditions are related to his exposure to smoke and particulate matter during active service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.,Specifically, the Veteran’s diabetic nephropathy with hypertension was rated at 80 percent and no higher rating could be assigned due to lack of evidence of dialysis or markedly decreased function of kidney systems.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities has been dismissed due to his request to withdraw all issues on appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral upper extremity disabilities, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between the claimed conditions and his service-connected cervical spine disability. The claim was previously remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the upper extremity neurologic disability.