Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and poorly controlled diabetes mellitus, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment since November 1, 2010. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to herbicide exposure. The claims are remanded for further development, including a VA examination and medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any such conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connection due to in-service noise exposure.,Service connection for bilateral SNHL is denied as there was no evidence of hearing loss during service or within the presumptive period, and continuity of symptomatology is not established.,Diabetes mellitus, type II, is denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or treatment related to this condition.,Right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is denied due to lack of evidence of a current diagnosis.,Left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is denied due to lack of evidence of a current diagnosis.,Right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is denied due to lack of evidence of a current diagnosis.,Left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is denied due to lack of evidence of a current diagnosis.,Service connection for PTSD is denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis.

The Board dismissed the appeals for tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, type II, a vision condition as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II, and four types of peripheral neuropathy all secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease that could be linked to these conditions.,For the remaining issues, the Board has remanded them due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current diagnoses and his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, tinnitus, a back condition as secondary to PTSD, diabetes as secondary to PTSD, right upper and lower extremity neuropathy, headaches, and a sleep condition. The issues of entitlement to service connection for these conditions are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was granted with an effective date of July 2, 2004. The claim had been pending since his initial service connection denial in June 1998 due to the submission of new and material evidence within a year of that decision.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, diabetes, PN BLE, CAD, and ED have been reopened.,New evidence has been submitted that raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Veteran's right upper extremity chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (previously carpal tunnel syndrome) was rated at 40% since October 27, 2018. The claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of a TDIU is denied because he did not meet the criteria for TDIU before January 22, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was reopened and granted.,The claims of entitlement to service connection for right knee condition, bowel condition, erectile dysfunction, and kidney condition were denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound status, thus his claim for special monthly compensation is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, and peripheral neuropathy of various extremities due to herbicide agent exposure. The case is being returned to determine if the Veteran served in the Republic of Vietnam or its territorial waters during his active service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding whether new and material evidence was received to reopen claims for service connection for various conditions, including posttraumatic stress disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, due to the Veteran's death during the appeal process.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but remanded the issues of bilateral hearing loss, bilateral eye disability, and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy due to lack of nexus opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the timing and nature of his exposure to herbicides, as well as incomplete treatment records. The AOJ is instructed to verify proximity to Vietnam and obtain pertinent VA treatment records.

The appeal is dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure. Service connection for erectile dysfunction is remanded.

The Veteran's appeals include requests for a compensable rating, effective date determination, increased ratings, and TDIU for his service-connected right ankle conditions. The propriety of the reduction in rating for his right ankle sprain is also being remanded.