Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient information regarding his in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The RO is instructed to attempt verification of this exposure and provide a formal finding if further details are needed.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with MDD, along with other disabilities, has rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment. He is granted a TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities were denied as the evidence did not show that his symptoms warranted a rating higher than 20 percent for RUE, LUE, or 10 percent for RLE and LLE.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance or housebound is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. The Board needs additional medical evidence to determine if his service-connected disabilities alone render him in need of regular aid and assistance.

The Board has determined that the severance of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities was improper due to evidence indicating the condition was related to in-service exposure to herbicides, specifically Agent Orange. As a result, benefits are restored.

The Board dismissed the appeals due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus his TDIU claim is denied.

The Board has found procedural errors and is remanding the case for further action, including issuing a Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Board has denied service connection for diplopia, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity. The Veteran's glaucoma is remanded for further development.,Service connection for glaucoma is remanded as there are conflicting opinions regarding its etiology.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for parathyroid adenoma, entitlement to a compensable rating for residuals of basal cell carcinoma, and service connection for peripheral neuropathy due to new evidence received after previous remands.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his painful midline sternum scar due to coronary artery disease was denied. The scar is rated at 10 percent, effective July 20, 2017.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his left lower extremity surgical scar associated with coronary artery disease was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding his cervical spine, lumbar spine, left wrist, and mandible fracture disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a causal relationship between his current condition and his military service or any service-connected disabilities. The most probative medical evidence does not support a nexus between the Veteran's cervical spine disability and his service.

The Board has granted service connection for left eye ischemic optic neuropathy, residuals of a left eye central retinal artery occlusion, bilateral retinopathy, and a headache disability. The Veteran's pre-service eye injury is presumed to have been aggravated by service.

The Board has decided to remand two separate claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding causation and aggravation.

The Veteran's asthma, diabetes mellitus type 2 (diabetes), and diabetic neuropathy are not service connected due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between the conditions and his military service. The case is remanded for further development regarding herbicide exposure.

The appeal of the issue characterized as 'Granting of only 0% for secondary neuropathy' is dismissed. A total disability rating due to individual unemployability is granted from April 24, 2019.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from September 7, 2018 to April 29, 2019 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial compensable evaluation have been denied. The Board has found that the preponderance of evidence is against his claims for bilateral foot disability, left hand condition, left ankle condition, right knee condition, and left knee condition.

The Board has granted effective dates of November 12, 2009 for increased ratings of peripheral neuropathy in all four limbs.