Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2022

The appeal of the service connection claims for multiple conditions has been dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, ischemic heart disease, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathies of the upper and lower extremities, hypertension, and tinnitus, render him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted his claim for TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for type II diabetes mellitus and diabetic neuropathy of the left upper and bilateral lower extremities, finding that the conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has granted an effective date of December 23, 2014 for the evaluation of loss of use of both hands due to service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities and SMC based on loss of use of both hands.

Effective September 1, 2010, the Veteran is granted separate ratings of 10% for RUE and LUE peripheral neuropathy associated with diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has restored the Veteran's service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that the RO improperly severed this connection and did not apply the clear and unmistakable error standard.

The Veteran's need for aid and attendance is not due to his service-connected conditions, but rather to non-service connected disabilities like Parkinson's disease. As a result, the claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and diabetic neuropathy have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board denied service connection for a heart condition, diabetes mellitus, stroke residuals, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The evidence did not support the Veteran's claims of direct service connection or secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,The Board found that there was no in-service exposure to herbicide agents or other toxins linked to these conditions. The Veteran's heart condition is presumed to have existed prior to service, and he has not provided credible evidence linking it to service. His diabetes mellitus and stroke residuals are not considered presumptively related to herbicide agent exposure. The peripheral neuropathy was first diagnosed many years after service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for Meniere's disease, diabetes mellitus, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy due to conflicting opinions from VA examiners. The Veteran is asked to provide additional evidence or undergo further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of his conditions.

The Veteran's HIV-related conditions are being remanded for further evaluation, including service connection for secondary psychiatric disability, bilateral hip and shoulder disorders, migraine headaches, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, hypertension, and testicular hypofunction.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted. However, the claim itself remains denied as there is no evidence that the condition was incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, which may be related to his presumed herbicide exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to an administrative error in submitting a modernized review system form instead of a legacy one. The Veteran must file a timely VA Form 9 if he wishes to continue his appeal.

The Board denied a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for the period before December 20, 2015, finding that the Veteran was capable of substantially gainful employment during this time.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Parkinson's Disease and Alzheimer's Disease, rendered him unable to care for himself without regular aid and attendance from his wife.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities due to herbicide exposure, as secondary to a service-connected lung disability. The VA examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy was caused by or aggravated by his service-connected lung disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities have been granted. However, his claims for a bilateral foot disability, heart disability, lung disability, back disability, and psychiatric disability are remanded.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including a back disability and its secondary effects on other conditions, are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development.