Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC) regarding earlier effective dates for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetic nephropathy, peripheral neuropathy, and diabetes mellitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow any substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant were denied as he does not meet the criteria due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective January 20, 2017. Other service-connected conditions have been assigned specific ratings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete information regarding his service stressors and other medical records. The Veteran will be provided another opportunity to provide authorization for additional treatment records, as well as requests for verification of alleged stressors.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions and additional development is needed. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity may be related to service, including an in-service back injury, or it could be aggravated by his service-connected residuals of ingrown toenails and scars.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed bilateral heel spurs and peripheral neuropathy, as well as the in-service use of improper footwear. The claims for service connection and a separate rating are now pending.

The Veteran's bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus. The rating for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction remains at 20 percent, but the TDIU claim is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service treatment records are incomplete and have not been obtained. The case is being remanded to obtain these records, as well as any relevant personnel records from his National Guard service.

The Veteran's right hand condition, characterized as dense right median sensory neuropathy with carpal tunnel syndrome, was granted a 40 percent rating from September 4, 2013 to November 1, 2022. After this period, the Veteran's claim for an increased rating remains denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for erectile dysfunction, left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to service connection. The claims are being returned for further examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the previously denied claims for service connection due to a liberalizing law that requires VA to adjudicate these claims without needing new and material evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, hypertension, and a thyroid disorder due to lack of evidence supporting herbicide exposure during active duty.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and bilateral lower extremity diabetic neuropathy were denied increased ratings. The Veteran's diabetes was rated at 40% since July 8, 2013, and his bilateral lower extremity diabetic neuropathy was rated at 20% from February 9, 2023.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD, bronchitis, pulmonary emphysema, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus type II. Service connection was also granted for left upper extremity neuropathy as secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to VA's inability to obtain certain treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for TDIU during the period prior to June 19, 2012. However, due to his combined 100% disability rating from June 19, 2012, to May 26, 2017, and October 14, 2019, TDIU is not warranted based on the schedular criteria. The Veteran's file should be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's cold injury residuals and associated peripheral neuropathy have been granted separate compensable disability ratings for the left and right lower extremities, with a focus on moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for narcolepsy was granted, while claims for sleep apnea, bilateral ankle condition, back condition, and pericarditis were denied. The claim for bilateral foot condition (claimed as peripheral neuropathy) was also denied.,Service connection was not established for any of the conditions due to lack of evidence linking them to service.

Prior to May 19, 2021, the Veteran's left foot sensory neuropathy was rated at 10 percent.,From May 19, 2021, a rating of 20 percent for severe symptoms without complete paralysis is granted.