Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2021

The Veteran's back disability and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities have been granted service connection. The claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities is remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular criteria for award of a TDIU, and entitlement to TDIU is granted from November 1, 2019.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, and his bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy (right and left median nerves) are each rated at 20 percent. These ratings have been granted.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are service connected as secondary to his service-connected tinnitus.,Major depressive disorder is service connected as it began in-service and aggravated by multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed all appeals due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's left wrist median/ulnar neuropathy is granted a 40 percent rating, effective October 5, 2010. The right ulnar nerve paralysis/forearm strain remains at 30 percent.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, finding insufficient evidence to link the condition to military service or herbicide exposure.,The Board also denied service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, concluding that it is not related to herbicide exposure as a presumptive disease.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected conditions or other health issues, and if any of these conditions were related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found that the initial grant of service connection was not prior to June 8, 2011 due to lack of evidence meeting the criteria for an exception to the general rule.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for all issues related to diabetic neuropathy of the face and mouth involving different cranial nerves, as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Veteran's CAD is rated at 60 percent since March 18, 2013. The claim for a higher rating remains denied.,DMII is currently rated at 20 percent and the criteria for a higher rating are not met.,Bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerve is rated at 20 percent since November 18, 2014. The claim for higher ratings remains denied.,Bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy of the femoral nerve is rated at 20 percent since November 18, 2014. The claim for higher ratings remains denied.,The effective date for service connection for CAD has been set to March 18, 2013.,The effective date for service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerve has been set to November 18, 2014.,The effective date for service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy of the femoral nerve has been set to November 18, 2014.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted from December 9, 2019. The case is remanded for further examination and consideration of an extraschedular TDIU rating prior to that date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetic neuropathies, and retinopathy, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board grants a TDIU from March 29, 2011.

The Veteran's right and left ulnar nerve neuropathies have been rated at 30% each, which is the maximum rating available under the applicable VA rating schedule. The Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of all extremities, and congestive heart failure, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, chronic kidney disease, and residuals of clear cell carcinoma of the kidney due to his conceded herbicide agent exposure in Vietnam. The Veteran is seeking presumptive service connection based on this exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the service connection claims for coronary artery disease, hypertension, and bilateral lower extremity venous insufficiency as secondary to the service-connected asbestosis. The VA medical opinion provided prior to the rating decision is inadequate.

The Veteran's diabetes does not require regulation of activities.,PTSD symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 50% rating.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 and service connection for depression are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the timing of his surgery and its impact on his health.