Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2022

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance due to a lack of evidence showing he is bedridden or in need of regular aid and assistance due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for diabetic neuropathy as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II, finding that the Veteran has not been granted service connection for diabetes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a link between his active duty service and the disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for loss of use of the right hand, left hand, right foot, and left foot as secondary to diabetic peripheral neuropathy.,The Veteran's claim was not granted because there is no separate diagnosis of a hand or foot disorder distinct from his already service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's bladder cancer was rated at 100% from October 15, 2018 through September 30, 2020. Additionally, the Veteran's service-connected diabetes and diabetic neuropathy were combined to result in a 70% rating during this period, meeting the criteria for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) at the 's' rate.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions provided prior to the April 2021 rating decision were inadequate due to a lack of supporting rationale for their conclusions. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy symptoms, including those in his upper and lower extremities, began before he started chemotherapy treatment for cancer, but the VA examiners concluded that the diabetes mellitus type II was not the cause or aggravation of these symptoms. The Board finds remand necessary to correct this error.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy in all extremities due to exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran's service records indicate he was stationed on the U.S.S. Colahan, which may have placed him within the territorial seas of Vietnam where Agent Orange was used.

Your appeals for service connection have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded as the effective date of his award must be reconsidered due to a change in the applicable regulations.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to a disability rating greater than 10 percent for service-connected degenerative cervical spine spondylosis and disc space narrowing, as well as right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran's right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and a bilateral foot disability, as well as the claim for TDIU prior to June 3, 2015. Additional development is needed including obtaining VA treatment records and medical opinions regarding these issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, finding that there is not sufficient evidence to establish a link between his current condition and his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the onset and etiology of the Veteran's diabetes mellitus. The Veteran contends that his diabetes mellitus began during service, but the VA examiner did not adequately address this claim.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was granted service connection as it is causally related to her service-connected post-polio syndrome.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than depression, was denied due to the Veteran not having a current diagnosis of such condition.

The Veteran's CAD has been granted an initial rating of 60 percent, effective May 10, 2017. The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's lower extremity symptoms and service connection claims.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, left and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy in the lower limbs have been granted from April 28, 2017. The Veteran is now rated at 30% for PTSD.

The Board has granted effective dates of December 20, 2012 for a 20 percent rating for right and left lower extremity neuropathy. The TDIU claim prior to June 4, 2013 is denied.

The Board denied service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and its residuals, including diabetic neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of his cervical spine disability, right upper extremity neuropathy, lumbar spine disability, left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, TDIU, and automobile adaptive equipment benefits due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, render him unable to secure or maintain gainful employment.