Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2021

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions did not render him incapable of securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted the appellant's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance due to her spouse's service-connected disabilities prior to his death. The Board found that the Veteran had difficulty attending to activities of daily living, including dressing and bathing, due to his service-connected cold injury residuals.

The Board has granted service connection for a scar on the left elbow. The remaining issues of service connection are remanded due to lack of evidence regarding in-service exposure and other procedural matters.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for VA examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and review, including a determination of whether the Veteran's right arm disability is service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and opinions, and a new examination is needed to identify all affected nerves in the Veteran's upper and lower extremities.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder is granted with a rating of 70 percent effective June 7, 2016.,Headache syndrome is granted with a 50 percent rating effective November 9, 2016.

The Veteran's home modifications to make it handicapped accessible were approved for a specially adapted housing award of $10,100. The appeal seeking a special home adaption grant is dismissed as the Veteran was found eligible for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral diabetic retinopathy and chronic bullous pemphigoid diabeticorum on a secondary basis to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities is denied as there is no current diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the case due to an incomplete medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left peroneal motor neuropathy. The examiner did not address whether the condition was caused or aggravated by the service-connected low back disability or radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's lower extremity sensory neuropathy is caused or aggravated by his service-connected Parkinson's disease.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to December 24, 2019.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities due to inadequate medical opinions and complexity of the case. The AOJ must request an independent medical expert (IME) opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, as his income has exceeded the poverty threshold level throughout the appeal period.

The Board denied a request for an earlier effective date of June 18, 2012, for the grant of service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II. The Veteran's claim was received on April 25, 2014, and no prior informal or formal claims were found.

The Veteran's right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy was granted a rating of 50% effective from August 5, 2015.,The Veteran's left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy was granted a rating of 40% effective from August 5, 2015. The Veteran's right lower and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathies were each granted a rating of 60% effective from August 5, 2015.

The Veteran's TMJD, generalized anxiety disorder with depressive symptoms, lumbar degenerative disc disease with small focal central disc herniation, right wrist sprain, status post right thumb fracture, healed, peripheral neuropathy of the median nerve (left index finger and right thumb), patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee, patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee, lateral collateral ligament sprain of the left ankle, lateral collateral ligament sprain of the right ankle, tinnitus, trochanteric pain syndrome including trochanteric bursitis (right hip), hallux valgus of the left foot, and hallux valgus of the right foot have all been granted effective dates prior to June 22, 2018.,The Veteran's recurrent urinary tract infection has not been granted an effective date prior to June 22, 2018.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral leg disabilities, including peripheral neuropathy of the left and right legs, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, degenerative arthritis of the left ankle, chronic lumbar strain, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, have resulted in a combined rating of 90 percent. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.