Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for diabetes mellitus, type II and peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities. The Veteran was currently rated at 20 percent for each condition.

The Board denied service connection for all claimed conditions, finding that the evidence did not support a link between any of these conditions and active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations, service connection, and other issues are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy, neck pain and headaches, and encephalomalacia as these conditions are not shown to be causally related to the Veteran's in-service meningitis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that they do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and shoulder conditions, did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine the current severity and manifestations of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right hand degenerative joint disease, thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease status post thoracic compression fracture, systemic hypertension, esophageal reflux and chronic gastritis, left leg neuropathy, and right leg neuropathy. The case will also be remanded to obtain VA medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of any sleep disorder, ulcerative colitis, and sinusitis/allergic rhinitis.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and left leg venous insufficiency, including as due to service-connected coronary artery disease. The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease was also remanded for a retrospective opinion on whether it worsened between July 2011 and his death in March 2019.

The Board denied effective dates prior to March 2, 2009 for the award of a TDIU and DEA eligibility due to lack of factual ascertainability that his service-connected disabilities increased in severity within one year prior to the receipt of his claims. The Veteran's right femoral neuropathy and right hip myositis were found not to meet criteria for earlier effective dates.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for arthritis in the left knee, arthritis in the right knee, sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy of the left foot, and peripheral neuropathy of the right foot due to the appellant's withdrawal of these appeals. The appeal for an increased rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) is dismissed as it was withdrawn by the appellant.

The Board is remanding several service connection claims and a SMC claim for the Veteran's surviving spouse to determine if she can be substituted as the appellant. The issues include left upper extremity diabetic neuropathy, right upper extremity diabetic neuropathy, stroke residuals, hypertension, dementia, and SMC.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right upper extremity neuropathy, but granted his claim for hypertension. The Veteran is already receiving a 100% disability rating due to multiple service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathies due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The claims are now pending and will be reviewed again with new addendum opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the receipt of additional VA treatment records, a need for medical opinion regarding kidney cancer, and the absence of an examination for his skin condition.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to a lack of current diagnosis of malaria and an incorrect standard used in assessing peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with associated erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and non-prolific diabetic retinopathy is remanded for further development. The issue of entitlement to TDIU prior to October 27, 2014 is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, dermatophytosis/tinea pedis/onychomycosis, and right eye cataract were granted effective November 28, 2007.

The Board has denied service connection for a back disability and remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral eye condition and special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance.,Further development is needed to determine if any diagnosed disabilities had onset during, or were otherwise caused by, active service.

The Veteran's tinnitus and left ear hearing loss are granted service connection. Right ear hearing loss, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, kidney condition, peripheral neuropathy of the hands, and feet as a result of exposure to herbicides are denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran during the appeal process.