Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2021

The Board dismissed the appeal as the appellant was found eligible to attorney fees for past-due benefits awarded in the February 2021 rating decision, which replaced the January 2021 rating decision. The effective date of the TDIU award is March 7, 2019.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, and the Court has ordered remand. The case is now being sent back to the AOJ for further consideration with an opinion on the combined effects of all service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted due to his service-connected disabilities, which include coronary artery disease and diabetic retinopathy, making it impossible for him to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inextricably intertwined issues with the claim of service connection for diabetes. The Veteran's other conditions are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating determinations related to diabetic peripheral neuropathy, unstable angina, and PTSD.

The Board has withdrawn the appeals for headaches and heart disability. The claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, bilateral eye glaucoma, erectile dysfunction, kidney calculi, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and depression are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for sensory-motor neuropathy of the left lower extremity was denied. For the right lower extremity, a 30 percent rating was granted prior to November 4, 2020, and a 40 percent rating since that date.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right upper extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity neuropathy due to a lack of VA treatment records from October 2018 and April 2020.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are denied. The Board has remanded several of the issues due to insufficient evidence or conflicting medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities and erectile dysfunction have been granted. The effective date for these benefits is not specified.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various peripheral neuropathies and diabetes mellitus, type II (DM II), as they may be related to his exposure to herbicide agents during his military service. The specific focus is on whether he was exposed to Agent Orange while aboard ships in Vietnam.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection and reopening claims due to the Veteran's death.

Effective April 8, 2014, the Veteran was granted a 40 percent rating for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities.,Effective April 5, 2021, the Veteran's entitlement to a higher rating for his diabetic peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities was denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for new examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected depressive disorder, diabetic neuropathy affecting lower extremities, and overall disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right wrist disability, including superficial radial nerve neuropathy and essential tremors. The opinions are needed to determine if these conditions are related to service-connected somatic symptom disorder and residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI).

The Board has denied service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and right upper extremity as these conditions are not related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted. A 10% disability rating is assigned for bilateral hearing loss effective May 23, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected Parkinson's disease and diabetic neuropathy necessitate the use of knee braces, which cause damage to his clothing. The Board has granted a clothing allowance for these knee braces in calendar year 2020.

The Veteran's appeal was granted as his VA Form 9 was submitted in a timely manner, despite the initial mailing of the SOC to an old address. The issues related to service connection and increased ratings for various conditions were addressed.

The Veteran's ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities were reduced to zero percent, effective April 7, 2020. The rating for bilateral flat feet was restored to a 30 percent rating effective April 7, 2020.