Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2022

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied because his service-connected disabilities, especially the right hand neuropathy and scars on the right forearm, do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU as of July 1, 2016, but no earlier. As of March 20, 2019, the criteria for a TDIU based on a single service-connected disability are not met.

The Veteran's service-connected Type II diabetes mellitus with nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy is found to be the cause of his diabetic neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, which has been granted as secondary service connection.

The Board granted service connection for sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, effective July 18, 2005. The Veteran's earlier claims were not considered as he did not file a formal or informal claim prior to this date.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is related to his diabetes mellitus, type II. The Veteran and his representative have provided evidence that he did not attend the scheduled VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to his exposure to herbicide agents during service. A new VA opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's condition was caused by in-service herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is etiologically related to his active military service, including exposure to herbicides. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and tinea pedis, both presumed due to herbicide exposure. Service connection was denied for GERD, tinea corporis, neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and neuropathy of the left lower extremity.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and the Board is remanding this issue.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen claims of service connection for a skin disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than unspecified anxiety disorder with depression, a stomach disorder, a neck disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. The Board is remanding these claims as well.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is currently rated at 20 percent each, and the Board has denied any higher ratings.,The Veteran seeks a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities. The Board found that he does not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, and the Board has remanded this issue.,The Veteran's low back disability (IVDS with spondylosis and degenerative disc disease) warrants a rating of at least 40 percent from July 12, 2012. The evidence is evenly balanced as to whether his symptomatology more nearly approximates flexion to 30 degrees or less.,The Veteran's right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy does not warrant a higher than 20 percent rating.,The Veteran's left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy does not warrant a higher than 10 percent rating.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, finding no evidence to support a link between the condition and active service.

The Veteran is seeking higher ratings for his right upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy and earlier effective dates for various benefits.,His claim for a TDIU rating prior to December 27, 2011, and an effective date prior to December 27, 2011, for basic eligibility to DEA benefits under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 are also pending.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of hyperhidrosis due to new evidence. The rating for residuals of a hematoma of the left scrotum remains denied as there is no voiding or renal dysfunction. The PTSD and depressive disorder NOS are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity. The case is remanded for further development regarding service connection for a respiratory disorder and peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his military service.,The claims were remanded due to an incomplete medical record regarding the April 2010 surgery.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to March 18, 2020.

The Board has found that additional development is needed to fully assist the Veteran with his claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and updating VA treatment records. The claims are remanded for these purposes.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various symptoms, including joint pain, muscle pain, peripheral neuropathy, insomnia, fatigue, memory loss, and weight loss. The appeal is reopened on the basis of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the cause and aggravation of the Veteran's sleep apnea. The case will be returned for further development.