Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, diabetes type II, and peripheral neuropathy in bilateral feet have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection or exposure to herbicides.

The claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened and granted. The claim for lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board denied service connection for a neck condition, left arm condition, headaches, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder ankylosis.,There is no current diagnosis of a left arm condition or bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease, along with its associated symptoms such as peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, dementia, ADHD, depression, sleep apnea, and erectile dysfunction, are all considered service-connected.,Service connection has been granted for these conditions based on their direct relationship to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of chronic sinusitis and right wrist disability. The Board found new and material evidence to reopen these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examination reports and incomplete medical opinions. The Veteran is required to provide updated VA treatment records, submit any positive private medical opinions, and undergo a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, diabetes mellitus, and femoral nerve disabilities, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since September 11, 2015. The Board has granted a TDIU effective from that date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for heart disorder, hypertension, type II diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of upper and lower extremities, and bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran is requested to provide names and addresses of all medical care providers who have recently treated him for his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, ringworm on the right foot, and migraines has been granted. The claims for rashes are being remanded.

The Veteran's right and left upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy are rated at 40 percent, effective August 18, 2011. The Veteran's right and left lower extremity (femoral) diabetic peripheral neuropathy are also rated at 40 percent, effective August 18, 2011.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is currently rated at 10 percent, but a higher evaluation of 20 percent is granted.,For the period prior to March 13, 2018, the Veteran’s left ulnar neuropathy was initially evaluated at 10 percent. From March 13, 2018 onwards, it warrants an increased evaluation to 20 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including CAD, PTSD, DM II, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathies, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since April 26, 2011. The Board granted entitlement to total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, diabetes mellitus, type II, gastroesophageal reflux disease (claimed as Barrett’s esophagus and esophageal varices), and service connection based on secondary to service-connected conditions. Additional VA treatment records were recently obtained and must be associated with the claims file.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various diabetic neuropathies have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding of more than the currently assigned disability ratings.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is being remanded due to a need for additional evidence and examination.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate prior to May 22, 2019 was denied as he did not meet the legal criteria for payment of compensation under that criterion. The Board found no evidence showing the Veteran is permanently and substantially confined to his home due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his TDIU award, finding that he was not precluded from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to December 19, 2016.

The Board has found that further evidentiary development is necessary and remands the case to ensure compliance with prior remand instructions. The Veteran's back condition and nerve conditions are being examined again due to his reported worsening.

The Board has found that further remand is necessary due to the need for new and adequate examinations regarding the current severity of the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and associated peripheral neuropathy, as well as efforts to ensure all relevant treatment records have been associated with the claims file.