Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2020

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent, and he has additional service-connected disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent. Therefore, the Veteran is entitled to SMC at the housebound rate from September 27, 2008 to January 23, 2010.

The Board has decided that a TDIU is warranted due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment. The decision is remanded for further action including obtaining outstanding medical records, clarifying part-time employment history, and seeking documents related to any applications for SSDI or unemployment insurance benefits.

The Veteran's Parkinson’s disease and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and MDD) are not service-connected.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and MDD), leukemia, COPD, AC joint arthritis of the left shoulder, urinary frequency, erectile dysfunction, sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, cervical spine disability (cervical spine disability), DMII (diabetes mellitus, type II), and lumbar spine disability are not granted.,Service connection for leukemia is remanded.,Service connection for COPD is remanded.,Service connection for AC joint arthritis of the left shoulder (claimed as arthritis of the left shoulder) is remanded.,Service connection for urinary frequency, to include as secondary to service-connected DMII with diabetic ulcer of the right foot or service-connected lumbar spine disability, and service connection for erectile dysfunction, to include as secondary to service-connected DMII or service-connected lumbar spine disability are remanded.,Service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity prior to July 19, 2012, and higher than 30 percent thereafter; peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity prior to July 19, 2012, and higher than 20 percent thereafter; peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity; and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity are remanded.,Service connection for cervical spine disability (cervical spine disability); service connection for DMII (diabetes mellitus, type II); and service connection for lumbar spine disability are remanded.,Service connection for CAD associated with hypertension is remanded.,Service connection for lipoma tumor on the spine is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates have been denied. The effective date for the grants of service connection for dizziness and vertigo, dysarthria, right upper extremity weakness, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and weakness has been set at September 16, 2008.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a right leg amputation below the knee, adjustment disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, right leg scars, and back disability, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity progressive axonal sensorimotor neuropathy results in loss of use of both feet, which qualifies him for financial assistance for an automobile and adaptive equipment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his active duty periods and the relationship between his current conditions and military service. The AOJ must verify the Veteran’s ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA dates, obtain addendum medical opinions, and schedule a VA examination.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new examination to assess his employment capacity.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding several disability ratings, effectively dismissing the cases.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for peripheral neuropathy in the bilateral lower extremities, including as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability or due to herbicide exposure (Agent Orange), is remanded. The Board requires a new VA examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran’s conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for left upper extremity neuropathy, right upper extremity neuropathy, skin disorder of the groin, and hypertension. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding these issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to uncertainty about the Veteran's exposure to herbicides. The AOJ must determine if his Republic of Korea service qualifies as 'in or near the DMZ' and readjudicate the claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine when the Veteran last held substantially gainful employment prior to December 9, 2015 and to clarify his dates of employment. The issue of entitlement to an extraschedular TDIU is also referred to the Director, Compensation and Pension Service.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for low back disability, left and right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy due to inadequate examination reports and conflicting findings.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the claims of peripheral neuropathy, sleep apnea, and erectile dysfunction. The Board dismissed these appeals as a result.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities have been granted initial 20 percent ratings, effective March 31, 2010. The Veteran has also been awarded TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for Type II diabetes mellitus, right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, a recurrent right foot diabetic ulcer, and diabetic nephropathy are granted. The heart and pulmonary disability issues are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding service connection, including seeking to obtain federal records from Moncrief Army Hospital. The peripheral neuropathy issue is inextricably intertwined with the infectious hepatitis issue.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development. The appeals will be considered again after further review.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and left and right lower extremity sciatic neuropathy, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his combat service in Vietnam. The claims were reopened due to new evidence showing a possible link between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service.