Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2023

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and restless legs syndrome, finding that there is no evidence to support these conditions as being related to his military service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of his bilateral upper and lower extremities, including as due to in-service herbicide agent exposure. The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his military service.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for mild nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy with cataracts prior to July 5, 2018 as it was not a valid issue on appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he is not in need of regular aid and assistance.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the threshold requirements for VR&E services as he has successfully maintained self-employment and does not have an employment handicap.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to insufficient and conflicting information about the Veteran's vending business, which was not fully developed. The Veteran is required to provide updated evidence regarding his role in the vending company and its impact on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathy alone rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, qualifying for TDIU. Additionally, the Veteran is entitled to SMC based on housebound status due to multiple separate disabilities rated at 60 percent or more.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were dismissed because the initial rating decisions were not issued under the AMA system.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy have been denied. The claim for an increased rating for right upper extremity radiculopathy has been partially granted with a 20% rating.,The Veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at 20%, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code (DC) 8513.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a low back disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, erectile dysfunction, sinus disorder, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, bowel disorder, headaches, enlarged prostate disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder. The claim for service connection for a skin disability has been remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence in several areas, including psychiatric disorders, polyneuropathy, back disability, and fibromyalgia. The hearing request is also noted.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, but remanded the issue of essential tremors due to lack of sufficient medical opinions.

The Board has denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, finding that the evidence does not support a link to service or presumed exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for epididymitis, anemia/G6PD deficiency, eczema, neuropathy of right upper extremity, and neuropathy of left upper extremity have all been denied.,The Board has also remanded the claim for service connection for low back pain.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type 2, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities have been granted. The claim for aortic regurgitation/murmur is remanded.

The Veteran's new and relevant evidence has been submitted, reopening the claims for service connection of peripheral neuropathy in all four extremities. The appeal is granted to that limited extent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and associated peripheral neuropathy was granted effective December 17, 2019. The decision also grants the same effective date for the secondary service-connected peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a disability rating more than 20 percent for right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy prior to August 30, 2012; awarded a 40 percent rating for the right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy from August 30, 2012 and denied a rating more than 40 percent from that date; denied a rating more than 10 percent for left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy prior to January 23, 2012; and denied a rating more than 20 percent for left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy from January 23, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was reopened and granted due to presumed exposure to an herbicide agent in Vietnam.,Service connection was also granted for right ear hearing loss based on in-service acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is dismissed as moot because he is already receiving a 100% schedular rating for PTSD and SMC benefits at the housebound rate due to his service-connected disabilities.