Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to an incomplete examination report and a need for further clarification regarding the relationship between the Veteran's open angle glaucoma and exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, which include a mid-thigh amputation of the right leg, depression, various scars, tendon injuries, and neurological conditions. The decision is effective as of the date of the rating decision.

The Board has granted a combined rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's right lower extremity disability, characterized by weakness and neuropathy. A higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for disability manifested by bilateral foot and toe pain is denied. The Veteran's bipolar disorder is granted, but a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and bipolar disorder remains denied. Service connection for left lower extremity neuropathy is granted with an increased rating to 70 percent. A TDIU is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to inadequate rationale in previous VA opinions and failure to address the totality of the Veteran's lay statements regarding his symptoms and onset.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of his upper and lower extremities, as these conditions are not related to his active service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and ischemic heart disease due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service in the Republic of Vietnam. The Veteran is also granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred in service due to herbicide exposure. Bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and left shoulder disorder are also presumed to be related to his service-connected diabetes.,Service connection for Merkel cell carcinoma and kidney disorder secondary to type II diabetes mellitus remains pending as the Veteran has not provided sufficient evidence or information for a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery bypass graft times 2, ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type II, with erectile dysfunction due to presumed exposure to herbicides. Service connection was also granted for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity (claimed as left leg condition) and left ulnar neuropathy (claimed as left elbow condition).

The Board has granted service connection for neurobehavioral effects, including polyneuropathy, memory loss, and dizziness. The issue of entitlement to service connection for COPD is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent for the period from July 29, 2014 to October 4, 2018 and denied a higher rating.,The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent beginning October 4, 2018 and denied a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a back condition, neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, a right knee condition, and residuals of a head injury are remanded.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with his service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy at the time of prior VA examinations and DBQs.

The Board granted service connection for hypertension and denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities (PN BUE, PN BLE) as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II. The Veteran's hypertension was found to be aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, while there is no evidence of current diagnoses or symptoms of PN BUE or PN BLE.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 40 percent, but no higher. The initial ratings for peripheral neuropathy in the right and left lower extremities are denied.

The Board has granted initial ratings of 20 percent for each lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, effective April 17, 2017. The right and left upper extremities were denied higher ratings.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for service connection and compensation awards, finding that no formal claim was filed within one year of his initial intent to file. The earliest effective date assigned is May 4, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of transient ischemic attack (stroke-TIA) and hypertension are being remanded. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to the interrelated nature with other pending issues.