Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2021

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity was denied, and his claim for service connection for DVT of the right lower extremity, which he contends is related to his diabetes (presumed due to Agent Orange exposure), was also denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of sarcoidosis, peripheral neuropathy, and body myositis with dysphagia as they are not related to herbicide exposure. The appeal is also dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and its associated neuropathies of the upper and lower extremities, finding that there was no in-service exposure to herbicide agents or other causative factors.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete development and need for medical opinions regarding chemical exposure in service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and sleep apnea, are granted. A 60 percent evaluation is assigned for his thoracolumbar back disability.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's bilateral foot condition and peripheral neuropathy, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his in-service treatment or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is granted service connection. The appeal for bilateral lower extremities peripheral neuropathy is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the threshold requirements for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) during the specified rating periods. There is no evidence of inability to perform sedentary employment due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU, finding that there was no evidence of unemployability prior to April 24, 2014.

Service connection is granted for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, axonal polyneuropathy and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and axonal polyneuropathy and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity.,An effective date earlier than January 6, 2012 is denied for service connection for bilateral pes cavus with hallux valgus and metatarsalgia of both feet, degenerative arthritis of both feet, and bilateral weak feet.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease with myocardial infarction prior to October 3, 2016 was denied.,The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for coronary artery disease with myocardial infarction from January 1, 2017 through September 30, 2018 was also denied.,The claim for service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy was reopened due to new and material evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service. The condition was presumed due to exposure to Agent Orange during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, heart disability, circulatory disorder, eye disorder, erectile dysfunction, upper and lower neuropathy, urinary incontinence, liver disorder, and hernia disorder have all been denied as they are not service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current foot conditions, including bilateral pes planus, Morton's neuromas with metatarsalgia status post neurectomy, hammer toes, left foot Charcot's deformity, Mueller-Weiss syndrome, and bilateral neuropathy are at least as likely as not related to his active military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower left and right extremity peripheral neuropathy, as well as Parkinson's disease, due to presumed herbicide agent exposure during active duty in Vietnam. The case is returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the issues of specially adapted housing, special home adaptation grant, and prostate cancer rating as they are related to the SMC claim. The issue of SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) is also being addressed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of his right and left lower extremities due to a lack of VA examination and outstanding treatment records. The Veteran contends that his peripheral neuropathy is related to herbicide exposure during service.

The Board denied higher ratings for IVDD of the lumbar spine, LLE radiculopathy, and RLE peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran's conditions were found not to meet criteria for a higher rating based on ankylosis or other specific findings.

The Board has remanded the issues of increased ratings for left knee disability and a separate compensable rating for left femoral nerve neuropathy. The Veteran's other service connection claims are no longer in appellate status.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy are rated at the maximum available rating of 20 percent, effective October 7, 2020. The Board denied an increased rating for diabetes mellitus and service connection for other conditions.