Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for TBI, headaches, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities due to inadequate medical opinions. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the decision on TBI.

The Board has reopened and granted service connection for several conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, lumbar spine disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, bilateral shin splints, neuropathy of the lower extremities, and radiculopathy. The claims were previously denied due to lack of current disabilities or no disease/injury in service.

The Veteran's increased rating appeal for residuals of left great toe fracture is granted. The Board also grants service connection for the right foot condition as secondary to his service-connected left great toe disability.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer, coronary artery disease (CAD), neuropathy, and erectile dysfunction (ED) as secondary to prostate cancer. The Veteran's exposure to herbicides is not presumed due to lack of evidence and the absence of a factual foundation.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for adjustment disorder and alcohol use disorder, idiopathic polyneuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have all been granted.,Service connection has also been established for these conditions on a secondary basis due to their relationship with service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal of the initial rating for PTSD was granted at 50 percent effective from February 3, 2010, until September 3, 2014. The appeal of service connection for PTSD in excess of 50 percent prior to February 26, 2019 is dismissed due to mootness.

The Veteran's initial claim for CMT was denied in 1975. The Board granted service connection and a separate rating for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to CMT, but denied earlier effective dates for TDIU and SMC based on housebound criteria.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for dizziness, fungal dermatitis, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are remanded due to a duty to assist error. A VA examination is required to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's requests to revise the April 7, 2006 rating decisions for RUE and LUE peripheral neuropathy as well as the March 5, 2010 rating decision granting service connection for PTSD due to clear and unmistakable error (CUE) have been denied. The evidence did not establish CUE in these decisions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and TDIU prior to November 23, 2012. The evidence did not establish that his current disabilities were related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD rated at 50%, resulted in a combined rating of 90% from October 13, 2016 to October 13, 2017. The Board granted a TDIU rating for this period based on the severity and cumulative effect of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for multiple sclerosis, lower extremity peripheral neuropathy secondary to multiple sclerosis, urinary frequency as secondary to multiple sclerosis, and adjustment disorder with depressed mood secondary to multiple sclerosis. Service connection was denied for chronic fatigue syndrome.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection, but a higher rating is denied.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity received an increased rating from March 26, 2014 to October 17, 2017. The claim for a higher rating after that date remains pending.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that the Veteran's condition is not related to his military service or exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's right elbow disorder is granted service connection as it manifested within one year of separation from service. The Veteran is granted TDIU since March 5, 2020 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, as secondary to service-connected knee disabilities and fracture deformity of the right tibia. The case will be reviewed again with a focus on whether the neuropathy is caused or aggravated by these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, and the Board denies his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's tinnitus, hypertension, and venous insufficiency are all granted as service-connected.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss (BHL), gout, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including Parkinson’s disease and related disorders, render him in need of regular aid and attendance. The Board granted his claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has denied service connection for pes planus and peripheral neuropathy of the feet, finding that any increase in severity was due to natural progression of the conditions. Service connection is not granted as there is no evidence of aggravation beyond normal progression.