Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, warranting SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l). The Board finds the preponderance of the evidence supports this finding.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to insufficient evidence and a need for further development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his major depressive disorder and sleep apnea, have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since June 28, 2011. The Board has granted a TDIU for the entire appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient compliance with previous directives and a need for an adequate nexus opinion regarding the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, including exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for SMC based on statutory housebound status as he does not have a single service-connected disability rated totally disabling, to include consideration of total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities due to inadequate examination opinions.

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The Veteran's initial disability rating for diabetes mellitus, type II is denied as the condition does not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of his TDIU claim from February 1, 2019 to December 5, 2019.

The Board dismissed all issues related to the Veteran's claims, including those for PTSD and other conditions, due to his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, including thoracolumbar spine strain with sprain and spondylosis, left lower extremity sensory neuropathy of the sciatic nerve, PTSD, hypertension, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left hand burn scar. The Board granted TDIU on both a schedular and an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus type II and its complications, was granted with an effective date of April 3, 2014.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity (LLE) and right lower extremity (RLE) are both rated at 40 percent.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, as there is insufficient evidence for a determination on his claims. The Veteran served in Vietnam during his active duty.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C has been reopened. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been submitted to support the reopening of his claim. However, the Veteran’s status post appendectomy scar is not considered disabling enough to warrant a compensable evaluation. Additionally, the Veteran's claims for service connection for liver conditions (including hepatitis C and cirrhosis), neuropathy, heart condition, and TDIU are all remanded due to incomplete or missing information.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Major Depressive Disorder, Lumbar Spine Disability, and Neuropathy of the lower extremities, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has found that the development conducted does not adequately comply with prior Board remand directives and has therefore ordered further development to verify the Veteran's exposure to hazardous chemicals/gas, environmental toxins, and herbicides while stationed in South Korea.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to incomplete records and inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right feet due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the condition is related to military service, specifically presumed exposure to herbicides.