Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetic sensory polyneuropathy in the upper and lower extremities were denied. The RO found that his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the assignment of a 40 percent rating for right upper extremity radiculopathy is denied. The claim for service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity is also denied as it was granted based on the February 22, 2023 submission of his increased rating claim for diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and diabetic peripheral neuropathy disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to their functional impact on his fine motor skills and muscular weakness.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's sciatic nerve and femoral nerve peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities have been granted increased disability ratings, with 40 percent for each affected nerve in both legs, effective from April 29, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for service connection related to DM, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy, hypertension, and CAD have been granted under the PACT Act. The Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents in Guam.,Service connection has also been established for prostate cancer and Parkinson's Disease.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetic nephropathy is granted with an effective date of April 22, 2019.

The Board has determined that there are pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors in the previous VA opinions and requires additional medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity neuropathy is caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for diabetes, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and tinnitus was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any condition.

The Veteran's appeals regarding various disabilities were dismissed due to his death while the appeal was pending.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including psychiatric disabilities, allergic rhinitis, kidney disability, ED, GERD, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, shoulder disabilities, liver disability, and lung disability. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's service connection claim for DMII was granted effective April 11, 2020. The initial evaluations for lumbosacral strain and left knee pain were denied. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy disabilities are rated at 20 percent each since April 24, 2021.

The appeal for TDIU from August 1, 2019 is dismissed. The appeal for SMC at the housebound rate from August 2, 2019 to October 7, 2021 is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for sciatic neuropathy of the left lower extremity, as it found a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The AOJ will consider any additional evidence when the claim is readjudicated.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding exposure to tactical herbicide agents. The Board will conduct further development to determine the Veteran's service aboard ships and any potential exposure.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 100 percent, but he does not have a single disability rated at 100 percent. The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone do not result in the need for aid and attendance.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disorder, including pes planus, peripheral neuropathy, and venous insufficiency, finding that there was no evidence of in-service aggravation of his pre-existing pes planus condition. The other conditions were not shown to have developed during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes-related neuropathies, rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board granted TDIU for the period prior to August 30, 2022, and Special Monthly Compensation at the housebound rate for that same period. For the period beginning on August 30, 2022, the Veteran's 100% schedular rating was upheld.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to obtain private treatment records and provide an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his alcohol use disorder, as well as a separate rating for each diabetic complication.

The Board granted an effective date of April 27, 2013 for the grant of service connection for peripheral neuropathy in both upper extremities and denied increased ratings for these conditions as well as a higher rating for sleep apnea.