Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2020

The appeal for service connection of multiple conditions has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for leukemia, type II diabetes mellitus, left leg peripheral neuropathy, right leg peripheral neuropathy, and erectile dysfunction (ED) due to herbicide exposure. These conditions are presumed associated with the Veteran's service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for sinusitis has been dismissed. The claim of service connection for headaches, including as secondary to a service-connected sinusitis condition, is denied. The claims for service connection for a bilateral foot disorder and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities (sciatic and femoral nerves), and other conditions did not warrant higher ratings or service connection.

The Board denied a TDIU rating prior to April 30, 2003 due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities not preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment. The gastrointestinal disorder was granted after this date.

The Veteran's basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits was not established prior to March 2, 2020, as he did not have a permanent and total service-connected disability at that time.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran's service records show exposure to herbicides, and he is diagnosed with arthritis, COPD, and peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for obtaining SSA records and providing notice of a potential TDIU claim.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral lower extremity diabetic neuropathy results in loss of use of both feet, meeting the criteria for an automobile allowance. The Board has granted eligibility for payment or reimbursement for an automobile and adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of right foot, lumbar spine, neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and right hip conditions are being remanded due to new evidence submitted that may support these claims.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy in both arms and legs due to chemical exposure. The case will be returned to the examiner for further discussion of the new evidence provided by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to consider pertinent evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The case is returned for further development.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus. The right and left lower extremity diabetic neuropathies of the sciatic nerve are granted a disability rating of 40 percent each, while the right and left lower extremity diabetic neuropathies of the femoral nerves are granted separate disability ratings of 20 percent each.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various service-connected conditions, including right and left lower extremity cold injury residuals, peripheral neuropathy due to cold weather injury, tinnitus, and cervical spine DDD, were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding his sleep apnea, stroke residuals, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The VA must provide a new examination or opinion in these areas.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including verification of herbicide exposure and a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy. The TDIU claim will also be addressed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both feet due to insufficient reasoning in a previous medical opinion. A new opinion is needed to determine if the condition was caused by presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was denied, while his secondary service connection claim for a neurological disability of the lower extremities (classified as neuralgia) was granted.,The Board found that the Veteran’s complaints of nerve pain in the lower extremities are likely due to his service-connected low back disorder.

The Veteran's diabetes, diabetic nephropathy, major depressive disorder, and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy are all rated at the current levels. The Board has ordered remand to obtain updated medical records and examinations for these conditions.