Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, high blood pressure, PTSD, rheumatoid arthritis, neuropathy of the toes, and mini strokes are being remanded due to inadequate notification of his scheduled DRO hearing.

The Veteran's right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is now rated at 30 percent, effective October 16, 2019. His diabetes mellitus and PTSD remain at their current ratings.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for peripheral neuropathy, as well as TDIU. The issues are related because the Veteran's unemployability is linked to his peripheral neuropathy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the presumptive requirements under 38 C.F.R. § 3.309(e) for early-onset peripheral neuropathy related to herbicide exposure, as there was no diagnosis within one year after presumed exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are being remanded for a VA examination to determine if they meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or special home adaptation grant.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and a VA examination. The Veteran's claims of glaucoma, bilateral ankle disability, hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, heart disability, hypertension, back disability, degenerative arthritis of the left hip, and peripheral neuropathy are all pending.

The Board has granted service connection for DM as a result of herbicide exposure, but denied service connection for respiratory disorder and peripheral neuropathy due to asbestos exposure and herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure in service, and his bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is found to be related to his service-connected inguinal hernia. Both claims are granted.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower right extremity is now rated at 40 percent effective May 16, 2019.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower left extremity remains rated at 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of records and incomplete VA examinations. The Veteran's claims for various conditions are being returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction are not service-connected. The issues of service connection for bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy (secondary to coronary artery disease) and hypertension (due to herbicide exposure or as secondary to coronary artery disease) have been remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral eye disability, diabetes mellitus type II (DMII), and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities have all been denied. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to active service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration, as there is conflicting evidence regarding the impact of PTSD and peripheral neuropathy on the Veteran's employability prior to January 13, 2017.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is related to his in-service cold weather injury.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy, including as secondary to diabetes mellitus due to incomplete information regarding his periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA).

The Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to support his claims. The appeal is granted in part.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than March 25, 2009 for the grant of a 40 percent rating for headaches status post head injury is granted.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right wrist distal forearm fracture is denied.,The Veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than June 3, 2009 for the grant of service connection for right hand peripheral neuropathy and a rating in excess of 20 percent are remanded.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD with TBI is remanded.,The Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 40 percent for headaches status post head injury prior to August 5, 2019 and a rating in excess of 50 percent for post-traumatic migraine headaches beginning on August 12, 2019 are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant due to pending increased rating claims. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are being evaluated in detail, including their impact on his ability to use a wheelchair or other assistive devices.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to service or exposure to herbicide agents.