Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to August 31, 2015.

The Veteran seeks earlier effective dates for TDIU and DEA benefits. The Board has awarded an effective date of December 31, 2009 for the award of a schedular TDIU.,VA policy is to grant a TDIU in all cases where service-connected disabilities preclude gainful employment, regardless of the percentage evaluations. However, the Veteran's claim must be referred to VA’s Director of Compensation Services for consideration on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper, left upper, right lower, and left lower extremities due to exposure to Agent Orange. The evidence is in relative equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's neuropathy was caused by Agent Orange.

The Veteran's service-connected fibromyalgia is found to be the cause or aggravation of his bilateral lower extremity sensory neuropathy, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for obstructive sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, and TDIU are remanded due to inadequate opinions regarding secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that additional records are needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims for service connection. The issues of lumbar spine disability, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, glaucoma, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), vasectomy, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are being remanded to obtain additional records.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of neck injury, residuals of back injury, and radiculopathy in the extremities (claimed as peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities).,The preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during or were otherwise related to active duty service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for groin scars was dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.,A 100 percent rating for psychiatric disorder is granted, with total occupational and social impairment caused by symptoms such as suicidal ideation, intermittent hallucinations, grossly inappropriate behavior, and inability to perform activities of daily living.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, left foot neuropathy, and right foot neuropathy due to the Veteran's in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The evidence is at least in equipoise that the Veteran served near the DMZ where he was exposed to herbicides.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted as service connected.,Right lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to service-connected lumbar spine disability is granted.,Left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, presumed due to Agent Orange exposure, is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type II, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities due to deficiencies in a previous VA opinion. The Veteran's service records show exposure to DDT powder in 1948, but no human health effects from low environmental doses are known.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of both arms and legs, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and bilateral hearing loss have been granted. The appeal for service connection for hypertension is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examination and additional development is required.

The Board denied service connection for right and left lower extremity sensory motor axonal neuropathy, finding that the evidence did not support a link to active service or any service-connected condition.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, but denied service connection for other conditions including a duodenal ulcer, lumbar spine disability, neuropathy of the lower legs, cervical spine disability, neuropathy of the upper arm, right ankle disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, and bilateral shin splints.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities has been dismissed due to his death. The appeal for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance has also been dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and diabetes with peripheral neuropathy of all extremities, rendered him unable to follow substantially gainful employment from March 29, 2012 to June 19, 2013. Prior to that date, he did not meet the schedular criteria for TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disability, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of left upper extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of right upper extremity. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for his service-connected left upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that the evidence did not support higher evaluations or earlier effective dates.