Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, hyperglycemia (diabetes mellitus type 2), hyperlipidemia, diabetic amyotrophy, and a skin condition are all denied. The Veteran's bilateral inguinal hernia claim is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral median nerve neuropathy, left ear disorder, genitourinary disorder, and digestive and/or gastrointestinal disorder due to lack of medical opinions addressing the etiology of these conditions. The Veteran is advised that he may need to undergo VA examinations to provide this information.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral feet, OSA, supraventricular arrhythmia, diabetes mellitus type II with ED, PTSD, Barrett's esophagus with GERD, upper extremity tremors, and hypertension, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating prior to January 29, 2018, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter for hypogeusia is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected hypothyroidism is denied as the evidence does not support a higher 30-percent rating under either the previous or amended rating criteria for endocrine disorders.,The Veteran's claims for ratings in excess of 10 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities are denied.,TDIU claim since June 7, 2019 is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for increased ratings for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy prior to the Board's decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to October 25, 2017 for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU), finding that no earlier effective date is warranted due to lack of a formal or informal claim within one year before the July 18, 2016 intent to file a claim. The Board also found no CUE in the assignment of an October 25, 2017 effective date for TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment since June 1, 2021. The Board granted a TDIU based on the combined effect of all his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grants of special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance, loss of use of the feet, and a 100 percent rating for bilateral lower extremity disabilities have been denied. The earliest possible effective date is August 30, 2021.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to April 10, 2018, for the award of special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance. The decision found that no formal or informal claim was filed within one year before the receipt of his claim on April 20, 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, CAD, DM II, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower legs, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has determined that his TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received, requiring readjudication of the claim for service connection for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran's right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy rating is also remanded. Additional development is needed to obtain private treatment records and a medical advisory opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's tinnitus and left ear hearing loss are granted as service-connected.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, cataracts, neuropathy of the lower extremities, heart condition, hypertension, and kidney condition is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for diabetes, peripheral neuropathy of upper and lower extremities, and diabetic retinopathy. The appeal for lumbar strain is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities, as well as bilateral knee and shoulder disabilities, due to exposure to herbicide agents. The effective dates for TDIU and DEA benefits are also being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus type II is denied, and the case is remanded for further examination to determine if he has right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy related to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents. Service connection is denied for kidney condition, bilateral eye condition, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for neurobehavioral effects, including lower extremity neuropathy and ataxic gait, finding that there is no evidence to support a relationship between his current disabilities and exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of May 14, 2012, for the addition of his spouse as a dependent to his VA disability compensation award was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an earlier effective date due to the lack of timely submission of claims and information.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has not been received to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a heart disorder, hypertension, low back disorder, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, peripheral neuropathy, right and left knee disorders, and bilateral foot disorder. As such, these claims are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether it is related to an in-service cold exposure injury. The decision also grants service connection for residuals of a purported in-service cold exposure injury impacting the right and left upper extremities.