Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and right elbow/shoulder conditions, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to February 9, 2009.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities due to insufficient opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for left upper extremity diabetic neuropathy, right upper extremity diabetic neuropathy, and hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has dismissed the appeal because the appellant died in October 2015, and thus the Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this case.

The Board has determined that the VA examination conducted in April 2019 was inadequate and requires a new examination to assess the etiology of the Veteran's claimed bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, including whether it is related to service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is related to his service-connected Morton’s neuroma, and he has been granted a 10% evaluation for this condition since October 8, 2014.,Service connection was denied for acquired psychiatric conditions, residuals of TBI, fibromyalgia, musculoskeletal joint pain (shoulders, wrists, neck), sleep apnea, and hallux valgus with mild degenerative changes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, prevented him from engaging in physically demanding work. The Board finds the May 2014 VA examiner’s opinion inadequate to decide the TDIU claim and requests an addendum opinion addressing all of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for Type II Diabetes Mellitus and Peripheral Neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, finding that new evidence supports these claims. Service connection is also granted for Peripheral Neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities as secondary to newly service-connected Type II Diabetes Mellitus.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records. The appeals for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction are being remanded. If the Veteran becomes schedularly eligible for a TDIU prior to July 29, 2019, his claim will be referred to the Director of Compensation Services for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus Type II, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and sleep apnea as secondary to diabetes mellitus Type II. The Veteran's service aboard the U.S.S. Saratoga is being verified to determine if he was exposed to herbicide agents during his service.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities (BUE). Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities (BLE) and a low back disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The remaining issues of service connection for cardiomyopathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are remanded.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted as the evidence shows that the Veteran experienced symptoms related to tinnitus within a year after separation from active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the right eye and left shoulder conditions are denied.,The Veteran's bilateral leg condition is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of June 22, 2009. The Board finds that he is unemployable due to his vision impairment and other conditions.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent, effective April 1, 2011. The RO denied an increased rating for his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to February 24, 2011.

The Veteran's COPD was denied as not related to service, including exposure to environmental hazards during the Gulf War.,Service connection for memory loss is remanded due to lack of a diagnosed condition and need for further examination.,Service connection for neuropathy in the bilateral upper extremities and lower extremities is remanded due to lack of a diagnosed condition and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete medical opinions and potential service connection for a low back condition, which could affect the left leg neuropathy claim.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, bilateral cold foot sensation, diabetic neuropathies of the lower extremities, and diabetic retinopathy with cataracts are all rated at their maximum allowable levels. The Board has remanded for further development regarding service connection for cold feet.