Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and TDIU have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the combined effect of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his employment, specifically as a production worker in an automotive vehicle engine plant from February 2006 to February 2017.

The Veteran's diabetes is currently rated at 20 percent, but no higher.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity and right upper extremity are both rated at 20 percent each.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity and right lower extremity are both rated at 10 percent each.,The Veteran's diabetic nephropathy is currently rated at 60 percent.

Effective September 2, 2014, the Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on loss of use of both feet due to service-connected conditions including diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, and vascular disease.

The Veteran's glaucoma and neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities are service-connected.,The Veteran's hypertension, sinusitis, ischemic heart disease, and chloracne are not service-connected.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for back and neck disabilities, as well as for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity and left lower extremity. The Veteran is also being asked to provide any additional pertinent evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is granted with increased ratings, effective November 9, 2017.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of his right shoulder disability, as well as his claim for TDIU due to the need for further examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 30 percent for the right upper extremity or 20 percent for the left upper extremity.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 are remanded due to the need for new VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, type II diabetes mellitus, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to type II diabetes mellitus are granted.,The Veteran's claim for reopening of service connection for a psychiatric disability is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for deep vein thrombosis, Charcot disease, diabetes, diabetic neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy, and residual left leg nerve damage as secondary to deep vein thrombosis. The decision is based on the lack of a service-connected primary condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sensory peripheral polyneuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between the condition and either his diabetes mellitus or herbicide exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sensory polyneuropathy of the right upper extremity, finding that there was no evidence to support a relationship between his current condition and in-service herbicide exposure or military service.

The Veteran's bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy and lower extremity paresthesia are not service-connected.,The Veteran's hemorrhoids were resolved, and his gastrointestinal (GI) disorder other than GERD is not service-connected.

The Board has denied service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, a heart disability, right lower extremity neuropathy, left lower extremity neuropathy, and an eye disability. The equilibrium disorder is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected conditions, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. The Board has determined that additional development is needed for several of these claims.,The Veteran was previously denied a higher rating for PTSD prior to February 11, 2016 and in excess of 70 percent thereafter. He also appealed his diabetes mellitus rating, peripheral neuropathy ratings, and effective dates for service connection.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is granted service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The claim for a higher rating for PTSD was denied, and the TDIU claim was also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, as secondary to herbicide exposure. The case is returned for further development.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for right foot and right leg peripheral neuropathy, as well as left foot and leg peripheral neuropathy, due to the Veteran's death.