Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in loss of use of one or both feet, which is a requirement for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment. The Board denied the claim as the evidence does not support actual loss of use.

The Board has remanded the cases due to outstanding treatment records and for further development of the TDIU issue.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicide agents, and for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and erectile dysfunction secondary to diabetes. The decision also vacates previous decisions dismissing these claims.

The Veteran's urinary disability was initially rated at 40 percent prior to March 29, 2018 and increased to 60 percent from that date. The gout rating remained at 20 percent before April 30, 2019 but increased to 60 percent starting on that date. The right knee disability was rated at 10 percent prior to May 1, 2018 and then at 40 percent from May 1, 2018 to May 14, 2018. It was rated at 60 percent starting July 1, 2019. The left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was initially rated at 10 percent prior to February 15, 2019 and then increased to 40 percent starting on that date. The right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was initially rated at 10 percent prior to February 15, 2019 and then increased to 40 percent starting on that date.,The Veteran's urinary disability met the criteria for a higher rating from March 29, 2018 to April 30, 2019. The gout rating was increased to 60 percent beginning on April 30, 2019. The right knee and peripheral neuropathy ratings were also increased accordingly.

The Board has denied service connection for chloracne, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), left hand arthritis, left knee degenerative joint disease (DJD), enlarged prostate, headaches, neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's right leg peripheral vascular disease resulted in claudication on walking less than 25 yards and an ankle/brachial index of 0.62, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Prior to December 19, 2019, the Veteran had mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic and femoral nerves in both legs; as of that date, he had moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral cataracts and optic neuropathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected type II diabetes mellitus, finding no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his service or service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity and coronary artery disease (CAD), as well as his TDIU claim, are being remanded due to incomplete development. The AOJ must provide the requested VA examination reports and issue an SSOC.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a supplemental medical opinion regarding his claimed chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, as there are inconsistencies and gaps in the evidence that need clarification.

The Veteran's hyperlipidemia was not service-connected as it is a laboratory finding and does not constitute a disability for VA compensation.,Service connection was denied for right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, sciatic nerve (claimed as “neuropathy associated with DM2 (herbicide) with ED”) due to lack of evidence showing the condition was incurred or aggravated during service.,Service connection was denied for left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, sciatic nerve (claimed as “neuropathy associated with DM2 (herbicide) with ED”) for similar reasons.,There is no evidence of tick bite disease in the record.,No residual maladies of vaccines were found in the Veteran's medical history.,Residuals of a broken nose are not established in the record.,Inguinal hernia and its residuals have not been substantiated by the evidence.,Malaria and its residuals are not supported by the available records.,Umbilical hernia and its residuals were not found in the Veteran's medical history.

The Veteran's right ulnar neuropathy is rated at a higher 50 percent, and he is granted entitlement to a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for an addendum VA medical opinion to determine the severity of the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy throughout the appeal period, as the relevant VA examination reports did not seem to include determinations regarding whether the Veteran’s peripheral neuropathy was mild, moderate, moderately severe, or severe.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity was denied as the evidence did not show severe incomplete paralysis with marked muscular atrophy.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death, and no service connection decisions were made.

The VA Form 9 submitted on June 20, 2017 was not timely filed and the appeal is denied.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is rated at 50% effective from August 28, 2020. The Board granted a special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance due to his disabilities.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2 and coronary artery disease are granted service connection. The Veteran's bilateral diabetic peripheral neuropathy is also granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type 2.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of left and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, as well as vision problems, secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II (DM II), have been reopened. However, the Board has remanded these issues due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is currently rated at 20 percent and the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating as he does not require regulation of activities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right inguinal hernia, obturator nerve neuropathy, genito-femoral nerve neuropathy, and right inguinal scar (painful) due to outstanding Social Security Administration records that may contain relevant evidence.