Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for eligibility for specially adapted housing due to service-connected disabilities was denied as he does not meet the regulatory requirement of a permanent and total service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeals to reopen claims of service connection for various conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal. The Board also remanded several issues related to service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and evaluation of his service-connected disabilities, specifically the upper extremities and lower extremities. The issues include seeking service connection for neuropathy in the upper extremities, as well as increased ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and the identification of outstanding treatment records.

The claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Veteran's diabetes and related conditions are not found to be service-connected. The Board has remanded several issues including service connection for a low back disability, sciatic nerve, right lower extremity, and bilateral upper extremity diabetic neuropathy.

The Veteran's bilateral pseudophakia and right eye corneal scar are granted service connection.,Weight loss is not a disability for VA compensation purposes, thus the claim is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral upper and lower extremity neuropathy/radiculopathy render him unemployable prior to March 25, 2016. The Board finds that a TDIU is warranted for this period.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to their death.

The Veteran's PTSD and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are being remanded for further development due to incomplete examinations and conflicting evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) because his service-connected disabilities did not render him incapable of working.

The Board denied service connection for right upper extremity neuropathy, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic fatigue syndrome due to lack of evidence supporting a nexus to service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim period from October 28, 2011 to February 1, 2012 is moot due to the combined schedular rating of 100 percent for all disabilities. The Board denied an earlier effective date prior to August 1, 2013 as there was no factual basis to determine that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable during this period.

The Veteran's skin cancer disability was not shown in service, did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of service separation, and is not otherwise related to service.,The Veteran does not have a current peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities disability.,The Veteran does not have a current peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and a need for further development. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, which may be related to herbicide exposure or secondary to his diabetes, is being returned to the AOJ for additional information and evidence.

Service connection for glaucoma is denied.,An effective date prior to February 22, 2017 for the award of service connection for major depressive disorder with anxious distress disorder is denied.,An effective date of August 9, 2015 (but no earlier) for the award of service connection for diabetic retinopathy is granted, subject to regulations governing the payment of monetary awards.,Entitlement to an initial compensable rating for diabetic retinopathy is denied.,Entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for type 2 diabetes mellitus is denied.,Entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent (prior to February 15, 2017) and in excess of 40 percent (from February 15, 2017) for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is denied.,Entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent (prior to February 15, 2017) and in excess of 40 percent (from February 15, 2017) for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is denied.,An effective date of August 9, 2015 (but no earlier) for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU rating) is granted, subject to regulations governing the payment of monetary awards.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were partially granted, with a rating higher than 20 percent denied for lumbar spine stenosis and a remand ordered for further examination to address the right leg peripheral neuropathy. The RLE neurologic claudication claim was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and other conditions were denied. The case was remanded for further development on several issues.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his traumatic neuropathy, radial nerve, right wrist disability was denied by the Board. The condition is currently rated at 50 percent and no higher.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and TDIU prior to October 1, 2018 is denied. The Board has ordered additional examinations for the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy and neurogenic bladder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities (secondary to diabetes), and TDIU due to his service-connected conditions. The issues are related to in-service herbicide exposure which is not fully verified.,A rating decision denying a higher rating for hemorrhoids remains unchanged.