Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2021

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as due to herbicide agent exposure during active service. The Veteran's current diagnoses are supported by competent medical evidence, and the weight of the evidence supports a finding that his symptoms began in service.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began in service.

The Board has determined that the claim for service connection for low back disability is remanded. The claim for service connection for neuropathy of bilateral upper extremities remains pending and will be addressed in a separate decision.

The Veteran's appeal for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant was denied as he does not meet the eligibility criteria due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right and left upper extremity diabetic neuropathy are rated at 30 percent each from June 27, 2019 to December 9, 2020. The Tension Disability (TDIU) claim is dismissed as moot.

The Board granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities, as well as erectile dysfunction, all secondary to diabetes mellitus type II. The effective dates are set at the date of the grant of service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to January 10, 2018.

The Board dismissed the appeal as there was no underlying AOJ decision for review due to the Veteran not filing a timely VA Form 10182 (Decision Review Request: Board Appeal (Notice of Disagreement)) on the issue of the propriety of the AOJ's January 2020 severance of service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of both legs, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and diabetic nephropathy.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for chronic epicondylitis with neuropathy of the right upper extremity was denied. The effective date is February 29, 2020.

The Board has remanded the claims for type II diabetes mellitus, right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathies, and a skin disorder due to inadequate VA examinations and failure to consider all relevant evidence.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Court withdrew its decision. The daughter is not eligible for substitution as she is an adult child of the Veteran.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities have been granted at a 20 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the claim for an addendum opinion to address whether the Veteran's service-connected conditions have caused or aggravated his obesity, which in turn may be a factor in causing his sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for skin disability, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to in-service exposures while in Southwest Asia during active service.

The Board has remanded the cases of left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy and a heart condition due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that there was no in-service event or disease that caused her current condition and that it is not related to any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, stroke, brain tumor (meningioma), bilateral leg muscle weakness, and dizziness. The appeals are related to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to December 10, 2012 is being remanded due to insufficient evidence meeting the schedular requirements. The Board finds there is sufficient evidence to substantiate a reasonable possibility that the Veteran is unemployable by reason of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone have not rendered him unemployable at any point during the appellate period, and his TDIU claim is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, finding that the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand during his active duty service is presumed. The condition began in service or is otherwise etiologically related.