Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2020

The Veteran's initial ratings for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were denied, with the exception of a 20% rating granted from July 6, 2015, for the left lower extremity.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension. The issue of service connection for bilateral upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy is remanded due to the need for a VA opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed condition.

The Board has denied service connection for gout, left and right leg swelling, respiratory disability, peripheral neuropathy of the feet, restless leg syndrome of the legs, all due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to the need for further development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's skin cancer is denied as not related to his active service or presumed exposure to herbicides.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity, and right lower extremity are remanded for further examination and opinion.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity, and right lower extremity are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and erectile dysfunction. The claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU is also granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities were denied as his conditions did not warrant a higher rating than what was already assigned.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for an earlier effective date for the awards of total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA). The effective dates were set at February 21, 2014.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to a duty-to-assist error in prior decisions.

The Veteran's service connection for narcolepsy and diabetic neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities was denied. The Veteran received increased ratings for his diabetic neuropathy, with a TDIU granted prior to August 15, 2019.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, right upper extremity, and right lower extremity are each rated at 20 percent.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran is granted a disability rating of 80 percent for his neuropathy of the left lower extremity from June 29, 2016 to January 30, 2019. The condition was found to be complete paralysis during this period.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy in both lower extremities is rated at 40 percent, effective from the date of this decision.

The Board previously denied service connection for neuropathy, but the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (Court) has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's statements regarding his symptoms and exposure to DDT while stationed in Guam.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient consideration of whether the Veteran's ED is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected conditions, specifically diabetes, CAD, PTSD, peripheral neuropathy, and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and neuropathy. The decision grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his chronic lumbar strain and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for left palmar median nerve neuropathy was denied as the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD with polysubstance abuse prior to April 30, 2014 and from August 1, 2014, was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a disability rating of 70 percent or higher.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral tinea pedis with onychomycosis was denied. Service connection claims for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities were also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left elbow disability and left ulnar nerve neuropathy, as secondary to the service-connected left elbow disability, have been granted. The left elbow disability includes posttraumatic arthritis, which is considered direct service connection due to its onset during active duty service. The left ulnar nerve neuropathy is found to be proximately due to the service-connected left elbow disability.