Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities necessitate the need for aid and attendance of another person, resulting in a grant of special monthly compensation based on this need.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete development and lack of evidence regarding his exposure to herbicide agents during service. The claims for diabetes, peripheral neuropathies, PTSD, and TDIU are all related and must be addressed together.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral dry eye syndrome is granted with a 20% initial disability rating, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's right foot peripheral neuropathy and metatarsalgia have been granted a 10% disability rating for the entire initial rating period, but an increased rating is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy were rated at 20 percent prior to February 4, 2016. Effective February 4, 2016, the Veteran is now entitled to a 40 percent rating for both conditions.,A TDIU was granted effective February 4, 2016.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding it related to presumed in-service herbicide agent exposure. The Veteran's condition is considered presumptively service-connected due to early-onset peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetic neuropathy in the lower and upper extremities have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and restless leg syndrome due to inadequate opinions regarding their etiology. The case is returned for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to November 12, 2009, for service-connected ischemic heart disease has been denied.,The Board has also remanded the Veteran's claims regarding his bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and his service-connected ischemic heart disease.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not contribute to his death and there was no evidence linking his death to his military service or any service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD with alcohol abuse in sustained remission.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a separate disability rating for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities as an objective neurological abnormality of his service-connected thoracic spine DDD, finding no evidence of diagnosed radiculopathy and that any peripheral neuropathy is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected thoracic spine DDD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including eye condition (retinopathy), bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy. The issues are being remanded due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The claims of service connection for left upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II, and peripheral neuropathies, have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment for the entire rating period. Additionally, he has been in need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected conditions.

Service connection for small fiber sensorimotor neuropathy, thoracolumbar spine disability, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) due to Gulf War Hazards has been granted.,The application to reopen the claim for entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for diabetic neuropathy were dismissed due to his death.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other factors linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is not related to his military service and cannot be linked to herbicide exposure. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, and PTSD due to Agent Orange exposure. The Veteran's service in Vietnam is not confirmed, and further verification is required.