Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, urinary tract disorder (frequent urination), excessive thirst, and blunt force trauma to head with scar have been denied.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity (sciatic nerve) has been granted at a 40 percent rating, subject to law and regulations governing payment of monetary benefits. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity (sciatic nerve), peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity (femoral nerve), and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity (femoral nerve) have been granted at 30 percent ratings, subject to law and regulations governing payment of monetary benefits.,Service connection for non-proliferative retinopathy with macular edema in the right eye has been denied. Service connection for PTSD has been granted at a 50 percent rating, subject to law and regulations governing payment of monetary benefits.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI, headaches, and tinnitus are being remanded due to failure of the pre-decisional duty to assist.,The Board is unable to make a determination on these issues without additional development.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher rating of 70 percent is warranted.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for effective dates earlier than July 26, 2016, for service connection of symmetric diabetic peripheral neuropathy in both lower extremities.

The Veteran's service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and its associated diabetic peripheral neuropathy in the right and left lower extremities is granted. The decision also grants service connection for these conditions on a secondary basis due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and its associated diabetic peripheral neuropathy in the right and left lower extremities is granted. The decision also grants service connection for these conditions on a secondary basis due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's bladder cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II are all granted service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete service treatment records and a need for further examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded two issues related to peripheral neuropathy of the Veteran's lower extremities due to unclear findings in previous examinations and the need for an examination that does not consider the effects of medication.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left hand peripheral neuropathy, and right hand peripheral neuropathy. The claims are remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining private medical records and an examination.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted, with the benefit of doubt given to the Veteran's claim.,Hypertension is granted as a presumptive condition due to herbicide exposure under the PACT Act. Service connection for cerebral infarction (claimed as stroke) is also granted based on hypertension.,The service-connected right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is denied, with no current diagnosis found in the medical records.,Service connection for coronary artery disease remains at 30 percent.

The Veteran is found to be unemployable due to his service-connected Ischemic Heart Disease and Diabetic Neuropathy, which combine to meet the criteria for a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy and diabetes mellitus, type 2, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to July 19, 2017. The Board granted TDIU for this period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and diabetes, have precluded him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined rating of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for additional research into his exposure to herbicides in Okinawa, Japan.

The Veteran's right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy has been rated at 40 percent since February 2017. The appeal is denied as the evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's MSA and autonomic neuropathy are granted as secondary to his service-connected traumatic brain injury (TBI). He is also granted special monthly compensation for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted initial disability ratings of 20 percent for the entire rating period, effective September 30, 2008.

The Board has remanded several claims due to the need for updated VA examinations. The Veteran was last examined in December 2015, and there is evidence of worsening since then.