Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and entitlement to a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) as well as the extraschedular rating for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease.

The Veteran's service connection claims for prostate cancer, skin cancer, diabetes mellitus II, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left toenail condition, xerosis of forearms, actinic keratosis, demodex folliculitis, chronic otitis externa (left ear pain), and vertigo are being remanded due to the need for further development regarding herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance, but he is entitled to special monthly compensation at the housebound rate from September 15, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for neck, left ankle, and low back conditions have been denied. The Board found no current diagnoses of these conditions.,The Veteran's claim for migraines has been remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has found that additional development is required due to the need for a new examination and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, which may be related to service or diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's hypertension and bilateral hearing loss have been denied initial compensable ratings.,Diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity has been granted a noncompensable rating since November 1, 2012. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left femoral nerve was granted a separate 10% rating since July 7, 2021.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for TBI, right shoulder disability, and cervical spine disability have been dismissed due to voluntary withdrawal of the claims.,The Veteran's appeals for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity and left upper extremity were also dismissed due to voluntary withdrawal of the claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination due to new evidence and possible worsening of the Veteran's diabetic nephropathy.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for balanitis with phimosis, erectile dysfunction, headaches, anxiety disorder, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has dismissed appeals regarding earlier effective dates for service connection of erectile dysfunction and SMC based on loss of use. Service connection for PTSD is granted, with an initial 40 percent rating for diabetes mellitus type II. Other issues are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to service connection for various conditions, including right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, uterine fibroids, arthritis, skin disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder, shin splints, migraine headaches, and anemia. The Board has determined that these claims are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for multiple myeloma, bladder cancer, anemia, peripheral neuropathy of the right arm, left arm, right leg, and left leg on a presumptive basis due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran's appeals for service connection for disabilities of the elbows, right ankle, and left arm/wrist have been withdrawn.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and a total rating based on individual unemployability was dismissed due to his death. The Board must dismiss the appeal without prejudice as it is not possible to continue the appeal after the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability was reopened and granted. The claims for toxic optic neuropathy, right hip osteonecrosis, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, muscle spasms of the neck, back, arms, fingers, legs and toes, seizure disorder, migraine headaches, right thigh disability, bone disorder, brain tumor, neurological disabilities of the upper extremities, and service connection for a left knee disability are all granted.,The Veteran's toxic optic neuropathy is secondary to his service-connected pain disorder and depression with history of self-medicating with alcohol. His right hip osteonecrosis is also secondary to his service-connected pain disorder and depression with history of self-medicating with alcohol. The bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, muscle spasms of the neck, back, arms, fingers, legs and toes, seizure disorder, migraine headaches, right thigh disability, bone disorder, brain tumor, neurological disabilities of the upper extremities are all secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome, right foot peripheral neuropathy, and left foot peripheral neuropathy are all granted as service-connected. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms began during active service and have continued to the present.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of exposure to herbicides or other factors linking these conditions to his military service.,Specifically, the Veteran served in Thailand and was not exposed to herbicides based on his MOS duties as a munitions specialist and weapons mechanic.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities is currently rated at 40 percent, effective January 6, 2021. The Board denied increased ratings for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation benefits based on the need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his conditions did not meet the criteria for requiring regular aid and attendance.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of heart disease, left upper extremity neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy as they are no longer on appeal due to the RO's grant of service connection. The death of the appellant means that this case cannot be adjudicated further.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and related peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, as well as heart disease, were denied due to lack of evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen these claims.