Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2021

The Veteran's sciatic and femoral neuropathies have been granted a rating of 20 percent prior to August 2, 2010. From October 18, 2019 onwards, the ratings for sciatic neuropathy are 40 percent each leg and for femoral neuropathy are 30 percent each leg.

The Veteran's initial claims for service connection were denied, and the RO granted service connection with effective dates of May 28, 2014.,Effective date prior to May 28, 2014 requests for service connection were also denied.

The Veteran's bladder cancer is presumed to be related to his in-service herbicide agent exposure. The right lower extremity neurological disability (peripheral neuropathy) is not presumed, but the Board finds it at least as likely as not that it is related to service and/or herbicide exposure.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease, no continuity of symptoms since service discharge, and no medical opinion linking the conditions to service. The claim was not based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents like Agent Orange.

The Board has granted service connection for left upper extremity, right upper extremity, left lower extremity, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy with effective dates of March 14, 2006. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent.

An effective date of March 3, 2015, for a 60 percent rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) is granted.,A 100 percent rating as of June 14, 2017, but no earlier, for CAD is granted.,An effective date of June 14, 2017, but no earlier, for the grant of special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate is granted.,A rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD for accrued benefits is denied.,A rating higher than 20 percent for diabetes mellitus type II (DMII), with erectile dysfunction, for accrued benefits is denied.,Rating higher than 30 percent prior to August 9, 2019, and higher than 60 percent thereafter for diabetic nephropathy with hypertension for accrued benefits is denied.

The Board has directed the Veteran to be examined for meralgia paraesthetica and polyneuropathy of the lower extremities. The examination is needed to determine if these conditions are secondary to fibromyalgia.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right knee, left knee, right shoulder, right ear hearing loss, diabetes mellitus type II (diabetes), and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The appeals are currently pending due to new evidence received that may support these claims.

The Board has denied claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, finding that the Veteran's conditions did not meet criteria for a 40 percent rating due to incomplete paralysis. The case is remanded for further action on the claim for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, left upper extremity, and right upper extremity have been denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for PTSD has also been denied as his symptoms do not more closely approximate occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board denied service connection for neuropathy in the right lower extremity, finding no current nerve disability and insufficient evidence of a nexus to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy and chronic physical flushing are remanded.,Increased ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathies of the femoral nerves in both legs are also remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development due to the need for a VA examination and review of treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for rectal cancer, oral cancer, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities as due to herbicide exposure. The claims are also granted on a secondary basis for chemotherapy treatment.

The Veteran's initial 10 percent rating for right cranial neuropathy, nerve V is granted. The compensable rating for residuals of left forearm fracture is denied. Service connection for erectile dysfunction, peripheral vascular disease, and peripheral nerve disability are all denied. Headaches service connection is also denied. An earlier effective date of September 12, 2013, for the award of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased ratings due to insufficient evidence, including a need for new VA examinations.

The Board denied increased ratings for lumbar strain and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding the Veteran's conditions did not warrant higher disability ratings based on the evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sinus disability, diabetes mellitus, bilateral foot neuropathy, and bilateral vision problem are not related to service. The claims for these conditions have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted TDIU since October 8, 2018. The case is remanded for a determination on TDIU prior to September 8, 2014.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, neck, bilateral arm neuropathy, and respiratory disabilities due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and his military service.,Service connection was granted for a scar of the left exterior upper lip.