Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, cervical spine condition, allergic condition, stomach condition, heart condition, joints condition, lower back condition, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. The claims were all denied as there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of May 27, 2011.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for peripheral neuropathy and bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran is required to undergo further examinations to determine if his conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, finding no evidence linking these conditions to military service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment from December 7, 2015. The Board finds that the Veteran is entitled to TDIU from this date.

The appeal concerning the left hand disability is dismissed. The appeals for service connection of bilateral leg disabilities are remanded.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's right ilio-inguinal neuropathy condition associated with residuals of right inguinal hernia repair, finding that it more closely approximates moderate incomplete paralysis of the nerve.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a concussion, post-concussion syndrome, and peripheral neuropathy of the left upper and lower extremities has been granted. The claim for toe problems/neurological problems of the left side was denied as there is no evidence of such condition in service or related to service.

The Board denied service connection for right upper extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity neuropathy as not related to service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, right and left upper extremities due to new evidence received since the 2013 rating decision. However, the claims are still remanded as there is conflicting medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's upper extremity neuropathy is related to herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU were dismissed due to his death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims as he died during their pendency.

The Veteran's kidney disease was granted an increased rating to 80 percent effective March 7, 2014. His diabetes and peripheral neuropathy were rated appropriately, but his diabetic retinopathy with macular edema did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has reopened the claims of entitlement to service connection for left ear hearing loss and sleep apnea, but did not grant any other service connection claims. The Veteran's nephrolithiasis is currently rated at 30% under Diagnostic Code 7508.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues are related to a back disorder and a neurologic disorder of the bilateral lower extremities, including peripheral neuropathy and radiculopathy.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for TDIU based on his service-connected diabetes mellitus and associated residuals since June 29, 2007. The Veteran is not eligible for SMC at the housebound rate due to having other service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for PTSD has been dismissed as the evidence does not support a current diagnosis of PTSD.,Hypertension and diabetes mellitus have final denial decisions, and new and material evidence was not received within one year of the November 2008 rating decision. The appeals are therefore dismissed.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy claims have been dismissed as there is no current diagnosis for any of these conditions during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, specially adapted housing, and a special home adaptation grant are being remanded due to the need to consider his service-connected disabilities in light of his nonservice-connected lymphedema. The AOJ will also obtain an opinion regarding whether his service-connected disabilities alone would affect his ability to use his lower extremities.

The Board has granted service connection for right ankle disability, low back disability, neck disability, and right upper extremity neuropathy. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible assertions of in-service injuries resulting in current disabilities.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and its complications. The Veteran's claims are being returned due to the need for additional records and examinations.