Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2021

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for right upper extremity brachioplexus neuropathy was denied, as the evidence did not support a higher evaluation.,For the period from September 21, 2017 to present, the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her right shoulder disability was also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as due to exposure to herbicide agents, specifically Agent Orange. The Veteran's symptoms of numbness, pain, and tingling in his arms and legs since service are considered a continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and associated conditions, including erectile dysfunction, hypertension, lung disability, and neuropathy. The remand is due to incomplete or inadequate examinations, outstanding VA records, and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his peripheral neuropathy conditions are remanded due to incomplete medical records. The Board requires additional VA opinions and development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete development and inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's conditions are related to his active duty service, but there is insufficient evidence or adequate opinion regarding the specific exposure basis.

The Board denied reopening of the claims for service connection for various conditions, including nicotine dependence, coronary artery disease, neuropathy of the legs, loss of vision in the left eye, cataracts, atrial fibrillation, obesity, cerebrovascular accident, diabetes mellitus, porokeratosis, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. The Board found that new evidence did not establish a relationship to service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy has been dismissed as the claim was already granted in a previous decision. The other issues on appeal have been remanded.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate for the period from December 22, 2014 to October 21, 2019 due to service-connected PTSD. Chapter 35 DEA benefits are also granted during this time.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, which combined had an 80 percent rating with one individually rated at 50 percent, have not rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as of September 12, 2018 due to his service-connected disabilities meeting the schedular criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric condition, which includes PTSD and depressive disorder secondary to peripheral neuropathy, is currently rated at 50 percent. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating as it does not show occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as of September 12, 2018 due to his service-connected disabilities meeting the schedular criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as of September 12, 2018 due to his service-connected disabilities meeting the schedular criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment, and the Board finds that his TDIU claim is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper, lower extremities and right upper, lower extremities due to in-service cold exposure. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible account of symptoms during service and subsequent medical opinions supporting a link between these conditions and his in-service exposure.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as of September 12, 2018 due to his service-connected disabilities meeting the schedular criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's left and right foot peripheral neuropathy are granted service connection due to herbicide exposure. The skin disability is also granted service connection, but the AOJ must obtain a VA examination to address the etiology of the condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of his bilateral upper and lower extremities, as secondary to toxic herbicide exposure. The VA examiner will need to provide an addendum opinion addressing whether there is a direct relationship between the Veteran's active duty service (including herbicide exposure) and his bilateral peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including erectile dysfunction, type 2 diabetes mellitus, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and diabetic neuropathy. The reasons for this are the need for additional treatment records and information from Social Security Administration (SSA) regarding disability benefits.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is granted a 60 percent rating from June 28, 2018 to June 28, 2019. The right and left femoral nerve peripheral neuropathy are each granted a 40 percent rating for the entire period on appeal. The right sciatic nerve peripheral neuropathy is granted a 40 percent rating from June 28, 2018 to June 28, 2019, and thereafter a 60 percent rating. The left sciatic nerve peripheral neuropathy is granted a 60 percent rating for the entire period on appeal. The right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted a 40 percent rating prior to July 14, 2021, and thereafter a 70 percent rating. The left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted a 30 percent rating prior to July 14, 2021, and thereafter a 60 percent rating.