Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2020

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes. Ratings for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are granted at 20 percent from December 6, 2013.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and other disabilities prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since January 27, 2012. The Board granted TDIU for this period.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right and left lower extremity diabetic neuropathies, as well as right and left knee disorders. The Veteran's claim is being reviewed to determine if earlier effective dates are warranted.

The Veteran's heart disability was granted an initial 60 percent rating. The claims for higher ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, as well as the TDIU claim, are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for ischemic heart disease and neuropathy due to exposure to herbicide agents, as no such exposure is established. The Veteran's current diagnoses are at least as likely as not caused by Agent Orange exposure during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including failure to obtain SSA records and VA treatment records. The Veteran was also provided with a new examination for his claimed GERD and sinus conditions.

The Veteran's left thigh nerve damage with sensory neuropathy of the sciatic, external popliteal, musculocutaneous, and anterior tibial nerves is rated at 20 percent prior to February 25, 2019 and 40 percent thereafter. A separate 10 percent rating is granted for left thigh nerve damage to the anterior crural (femoral) nerve.

The Veteran is already in receipt of SMC at the (l) rate for loss of use of both feet. The Board denied entitlement to additional, separate SMC(k) rates for the loss of use of right and left foot as it would violate the rules prohibiting pyramiding.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted as service connected, with the Board finding that it began during his active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including a low back disorder, ischemic heart disease (IHD), peripheral neuropathy of the right upper and lower extremities, hypertension, brain hemorrhage, to include strokes, and memory loss. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities were denied as his symptoms did not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent.

The Veteran's service connection requests for tinnitus, left ear hearing loss, anxiety disorder, right ear hearing loss, and tension headaches have been granted. The initial rating for right upper extremity radial sensory neuropathy has also been granted at a 30 percent level. Service connection was established for anxiety disorder after the claims were reopened based on new evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, as due to Agent Orange exposure. The case requires additional development to obtain a VA opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran’s peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left lower extremity neuropathy is due to herbicide agent exposure during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, finding that it is not related to active service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is being remanded for further development to determine its etiology and whether it is secondary to service-connected PTSD or sleep apnea.,The Veteran's eye condition is being remanded for further development to determine its etiology and whether it is secondary to his diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for further development to determine its etiology and whether it is secondary to service-connected PTSD, sleep apnea, or diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's neuropathy of the right upper extremity is being remanded for further development to determine its etiology and whether it is secondary to his diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's neuropathy of the left upper extremity is being remanded for further development to determine its etiology and whether it is secondary to his diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's neuropathy of the right lower extremity is being remanded for further development to determine its etiology and whether it is secondary to his diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's neuropathy of the left lower extremity is being remanded for further development to determine its etiology and whether it is secondary to his diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's respiratory disorder, presumed related to asbestosis exposure in service, is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to verify his exposure to herbicide agents in Panama, which may affect the service connection for some of his claimed conditions.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, prostate disability, hemorrhagic fever (claimed as 'hemoratic' fever), ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type II, neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and macular degeneration. The claims were based on direct service connection without any presumption or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, as well as bilateral hearing loss, have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The appellant withdrew her appeal regarding the service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.