Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding private treatment records and the need for additional medical opinions regarding his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's 40 percent rating for macular degeneration is restored, and he is eligible for specially adapted housing.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination regarding loss of use of both hands as a result of service-connected peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran is seeking SMC at a higher rate based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD, earlier effective dates for diabetes mellitus type II and peripheral neuropathy, and DEA has been dismissed. The appeals for chest pains (claimed as ischemic heart disease) and chemical burn have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's radial neuropathy is a result of his left arm surgery and if the VA providers demonstrated negligence during the procedure.

The Veteran's bilateral eye disabilities, diagnosed as cataracts and dry eye syndrome, are not secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,His chronic renal disease is not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,Peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, right upper extremity, left lower extremity, and right lower extremity are not found to be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes, gout, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and eye disorder as secondary to service-connected disabilities due to a lack of definitive opinions regarding causation or aggravation.

The Veteran's left and right lower extremity sciatic neuropathy have been granted a 40% disability rating, effective February 17, 2021.,Prior to February 17, 2021, the Veteran's service-connected left and right lower extremity sciatic neuropathy were each rated at 10%. The appeal for higher ratings is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected right lower extremity distal sensory motor axonal polyneuropathy is rated at 30 percent, but not greater.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was reopened and granted. Service connection is also granted for tinnitus. However, the claims for other conditions including CTS, psychiatric disorders, DMII, arthritis, kidney disorder, peripheral neuropathy, eye disorder, foot disorder, skin rash, and ED were denied.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease, type II diabetes, diabetic neuropathy of the right foot, and diabetic neuropathy of the left foot. The conditions are presumed to be due to exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate compliance with prior directives and a need for additional medical opinions. The Veteran's claim of service connection for back disabilities is being reviewed again.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity diabetic peripheral polyneuropathy of the sciatic nerve is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing and following any substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance/housebound status due to her ability to perform many activities of daily living with assistance when needed.

Service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss is granted.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Service connection for a lost sense of smell is granted.,Service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity diabetic neuropathy is granted.,The Veteran's hypertension and renal cell carcinoma are remanded for further review.,The Veteran's renal cell carcinoma may be related to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the percentage rating standards for TDIU, and the Board finds that his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral upper extremity neurological impairment, including carpal tunnel syndrome and other neuropathies.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities has been granted increased ratings, with effective dates from December 20, 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and bilateral leg neuropathy due to potential verification issues regarding the Veteran's service in the Republic of Vietnam.