Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right lower extremity neuropathy, as well as his claim for vertigo. The Board found that there was no evidence of chronic or continuous symptoms since service, nor did they find a causal relationship between any current conditions and service, including herbicide exposure.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral upper extremities neuropathy, and left lower extremity neuropathy due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.,The Board has also reopened the claim for automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only.

The Board has granted a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, effective October 1, 2009. The evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether her service-connected disabilities prevent her from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of a nexus between his claimed conditions and active service, including exposure to herbicides or parachute jumps. The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions had their onset in service.

The Veteran's claim for eligibility for specially adapted housing and financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, or for adaptive equipment only is granted. The claim for a special home adaptation grant is dismissed due to the addition of new VA treatment records since the last SSOC was issued in April 2020.

The Veteran's heart disability is granted a 100 percent rating prior to February 3, 2015. The claim for increased ratings of diabetes mellitus and diabetic neuropathy in all four extremities is denied. SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral lower extremity polyneuropathy due to presumed herbicide exposure, finding that new and material evidence has been received to reopen his previously denied claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities prior to November 5, 2019 were denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claims are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to October 15, 2018 is remanded due to the evidence reasonably raising the issue of entitlement to an extraschedular TDIU.

The Board has found that there are insufficient medical records to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities and thus remands for further development, including a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The RO granted service connection in April 2019 with a combined evaluation of 100% effective May 29, 2015. Attorney fees were withheld as the amount awarded to the Veteran was correct.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, PTSD, and peripheral neuropathies, prevented him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment from August 12, 2015, to February 6, 2019. As a result, the Board granted a TDIU during this period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities due to Agent Orange exposure are being remanded as new evidence has been submitted after the July 2016 denial.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities remain at 10 percent. However, a TDIU is granted from October 1, 2020.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the bilateral shoulders and peripheral neuropathy of the left and right upper extremities (claimed as bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's claims were based on his contention that his shoulder pain and CTS are secondary to his service-connected foot, knee, and back conditions and/or the use of assistive devices for such.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. Service connection was not granted due to lack of a current disability, and the Board found no evidence linking her symptoms to service or service-connected conditions. The claim for an increased rating for hallux valgus of the right foot, post-operative, was also denied as there is no evidence showing that the condition has worsened beyond what is expected with normal aging.

The Veteran's bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is related to his service-connected diabetes, and the claim for secondary service connection is granted.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU effective May 31, 2011 due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy preventing him from gaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).