Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2020

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to insufficient examination regarding etiology.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence of diabetes mellitus and its effects on peripheral neuropathy in various extremities, as well as skin conditions. The Veteran's current diagnoses need to be evaluated for their relation to his service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) since March 30, 2017 was dismissed as moot because he is receiving the maximum benefits allowed under applicable statutes and regulations. The claim of entitlement to a TDIU prior to March 30, 2017 was denied due to his service-connected disabilities not being severe enough to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and a need for an addendum VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran sustained additional disabilities at the Puget Sound VAMC as a result of April 2002 coronary bypass graft surgery.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy and skin disorder, as well as his requests for increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of current diagnoses or service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran was granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities due to herbicide exposure in Thailand. However, he was denied service connection for upper extremity peripheral neuropathy.,There is no current diagnosis of bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Board denied increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right upper extremities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of symptoms prior to January 14, 2020. From January 14, 2020 onwards, the Veteran's condition was rated as moderate.

The Board denied service connection for subnormal vision, essential tremors, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to Agent Orange exposure.,There is no evidence of any eye or neurological condition during active service. The Veteran's current conditions were not diagnosed until years after separation.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and associated diabetic neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are currently rated at 40 percent each, effective August 13, 2014.,A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted as of August 13, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for increased ratings for PTSD and diabetic neuropathy, as well as an award of SMC at the housebound rate are denied.,An effective date prior to December 14, 2015 is not warranted for a 100% evaluation for PTSD. The Veteran did not have an active claim or appeal pending for an increased rating for PTSD on this date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep disturbances, peripheral neuropathy of right lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of left lower extremity were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability or causation to active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or housebound benefits due to his inability to perform self-care activities.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to May 31, 2016 was denied due to the combined rating of his service-connected disabilities not meeting the schedular requirements. The Board has now remanded this issue to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining in-patient records from a hospitalization during service, arranging for examinations by appropriate clinicians to determine the likely etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disability, peripheral neuropathy, and hypertension, and addressing the theory of secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for right hip disability, left hip disability, peripheral neuropathy, Parkinson’s disease, cervical degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, and other conditions. The VA is instructed to obtain the Veteran's SSA records.

The case is being remanded for further development, including determining if the Veteran has a dominant hand and whether his left wrist disability should be rated as a minor upper extremity disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, as carpal tunnel syndrome. The VA will need to obtain additional medical opinions regarding whether these conditions are related to service-connected disabilities or not.

The Board denied increased ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating from September 28, 2012 to November 20, 2019. From November 21, 2019, the Board found moderately severe incomplete paralysis and denied ratings in excess of 40 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board found that the Veteran has current obstructive sleep apnea, but there is no causal relationship between his current condition and service-connected conditions or service.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus was denied as there is no evidence linking the Veteran's current diabetes to service.