Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2024

The Board granted initial disability ratings of 40 percent for right upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy and 30 percent for left upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, but denied higher ratings for the lower extremities and a compensable rating for hypertension. The Board also denied an increased rating for the acquired psychiatric disorder from September 17, 2021, and granted TDIU from September 4, 2014 to June 29, 2015.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for type 2 diabetes mellitus and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of both upper and lower extremities, as the evidence did not support a higher rating under applicable criteria.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, and peripheral neuropathy of multiple extremities due to a failure to obtain VA medical opinions addressing the Veteran's participation in toxic exposure risk activities (TERA) during his military service. The AOJ must provide these opinions on remand.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding secondary service connection. The Veteran's current diagnoses of bilateral ulnar neuropathy and migraine headaches are currently service connected, but the VA examiner did not address whether these disabilities were caused or aggravated by his service-connected finger injuries.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to errors in the original decision and requires further investigation into the nature of any conditions that may account for the Veteran's claimed symptoms.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right upper extremities were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits is granted effective from February 6, 2014.,VA regulations dictate the specific circumstances and criteria which must be met before DEA benefits may be granted. As these criteria were not met prior to February 6, 2014, an earlier effective date for DEA benefits is not warranted.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity (musculocutaneous) is granted at a 10 percent rating. The other conditions remain denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in physical impairment requiring regular aid and attendance, which is granted for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA eligibility were granted with effective dates of August 15, 2019.,Effective March 13, 2020, the Veteran received ratings for various service-connected conditions including stooped postures, diffuse bradykinesia and neuropathy in both lower extremities, mild neurocognitive disorder due to Parkinson's disease, partial loss of smell, speech impairment, sexual dysfunction, right-side buttocks scars, and hypertension.,The effective dates for these ratings are March 13, 2020. The Veteran's service connection claims were previously denied but reopened with new evidence supporting the claims.,Diabetes mellitus was not granted an earlier effective date than August 15, 2019.,Parkinson's disease and related conditions were also not granted an earlier effective date than March 13, 2020.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions render him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various neuropathies and hypertension due to lack of addendum opinions addressing key issues, including the February 2013 study reference.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination regarding the cause of the Veteran's non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and whether it was related to any TERA during his active service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that the condition is related to the Veteran's active service and exposure to Agent Orange. The decision also acknowledges a secondary relationship between the Veteran's hypertension and his peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for diabetes and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran's active-duty service is presumed to have exposed him to toxic substances, including those associated with the Persian Gulf War. A VA examination is required to determine if his diabetes was incurred in or caused by his active-duty service.

The Veteran's bilateral upper extremity diabetic neuropathy was granted effective September 6, 2013.,Basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits was also granted effective September 6, 2013.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for tinnitus, cervical degenerative joint disease with right arm neuropathy, and lumbosacral strain due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The claims will be reconsidered by the AOJ after obtaining new medical opinions.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is granted as related to his service, including exposure to Agent Orange.,Bladder cancer was dismissed due to the grant of service connection for bladder cancer in a separate decision.,Diabetes mellitus type 2 is granted on both presumptive and direct bases due to exposure to Agent Orange.,Left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted as secondary to diabetes mellitus.,Right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted as secondary to diabetes mellitus.,Right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is remanded for further review.,Left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause the need for aid and attendance of another person, leading to a grant of SMC based on A&A effective September 28, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetic neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities have been granted effective March 5, 2014. The initial ratings for these conditions remain at 10%.