Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2021

The Veteran's lumbar and thoracic spine disability is rated at 40 percent effective November 25, 2016. The rating for the period prior to this date remains denied.,Both lower extremity polyneuropathy conditions are rated at 40 percent effective November 25, 2016. The ratings for these conditions before this date remain denied.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right feet, as well as right foot bunion and left foot hammertoes due to deficiencies in the addendum opinion provided by the VA examiner.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The effective dates for the awards of service connection for Charcot arthropathy of the right foot and left foot, as well as SMC based on need for aid and attendance (A&A), are established.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran was granted an initial 20 percent disability rating for peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerve branches in both legs, effective March 27, 2017.,The Veteran's femoral nerve branch conditions were not rated higher.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper and lower extremities due to Agent Orange exposure. The remand requires additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA neurological examination, and conducting new EMG and MRI studies.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to April 19, 2017. The TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left foot disability and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities has been dismissed due to their death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on loss of use of both lower extremities, finding that his paraplegia is not related to his service-connected alcohol use disorder and he does not have a service-connected knee disability or paraplegia. The preponderance of evidence supports denying SMC.

The Board has denied service connection for left and right foot peripheral neuropathy due to lack of current diagnosis. The case is remanded for further examination regarding the Veteran's erectile dysfunction claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment for the entirety of the appeal period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for neurological disorders of the upper and lower extremities, as well as a low back disability and right shoulder disability. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following any substantially gainful employment, as he has maintained a successful rental property business and works part-time as a consultant.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, finding that there was no evidence of such disabilities during active service or within one year thereafter. The Board also found that the Veteran did not have a current right ear hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulations.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD, major depressive disorder, anxiety, and somatoform disorder) as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service or service-connected disabilities.,The Board denied service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as there was no current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy in the Veteran's medical records.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating of diabetes mellitus, TDIU prior to October 30, 2018, and SMC based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status are remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and a medical opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for left leg axonal neuropathy with atrophy and low back pain due to VA treatment, finding that there was no evidence of additional disability or a nexus between the surgery and the current conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the service connection for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy before a decision was made.

The Board has denied service connection for dyslipidemia and remanded the remaining issues due to incomplete development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his in-service herbicide exposure or his service-connected diabetes mellitus.