Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea, lumbar-spine degenerative disc disease and history of lumbar fusion, right-lower-extremity neuropathy, left-lower-extremity neuropathy, right-knee meniscal tear (claimed as bilateral knee condition), left-knee meniscal tear and degenerative arthritis, and bilateral foot pain with gait abnormality for further examination to determine if these conditions are secondary to his service-connected skin pathology of bilateral feet.

Service connection for psychiatric disorders, sinusitis, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II (as secondary to diabetes mellitus), and peripheral neuropathy is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, left and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathies associated with diabetes mellitus type II, diabetes mellitus type II, RLE and LLE peripheral neuropathies also associated with diabetes mellitus type II, tinnitus, and sinusitis, have resulted in a combined rating of 70 percent from December 30, 2019. The Board has granted an earlier effective date for TDIU and DEA based on these service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to September 11, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance was denied as there is no evidence that he requires regular assistance from another person due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on statutory housebound status is denied as it is ancillary to his service-connected coronary artery disease and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, which were granted effective May 14, 2021.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left lower extremity neuropathy, finding no current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Veteran's cause of death was attributed to adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) due to underlying influenza type A, with contributing causes being chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The VA medical opinions found no direct nexus between the Veteran's COPD, CLL, or ARDS and toxic exposures other than herbicide agents during active duty service.

Your service connection claims for RLE, LLE, RUE, and LUE peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure have been fully granted. The Board is dismissing the appeal as there remains no case or controversy.

The Board denied the claim of entitlement to a TDIU, finding that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his military service exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board granted service connection for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and diabetes mellitus, type II on a presumptive basis due to herbicide agent exposure in or near the Korean DMZ. Service connection was also granted for diabetic neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities as secondary to diabetes mellitus. Service connection for diabetic retinopathy was denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals, and the Board has dismissed them.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left knee condition, GERD, left hip condition, migraines, left lower extremity neuropathy, and squamous cell carcinoma on the skull, upper lip, and left great toe, as these conditions are not found to be related to his conceded in-service exposure to jet engine exhaust, fuels, oils, and solvents.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and TDIU related to peripheral neuropathy of the arms are being remanded due to lack of factual ascertainability in the year prior to April 29, 2019.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an evaluation higher than 20 percent for ulnar nerve neuropathy, left (non-dominant) hand as his symptoms do not more nearly approximate severe incomplete paralysis.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to a duty-to-assist error. The examiner is required to provide an opinion on whether any of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed substantially and materially to his death.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings on his service-connected left elbow, right knee, low back, left ulnar neuropathy, and hypertension disabilities have been denied. The RO also remanded several issues related to service connection.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy and hypertension due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service connection claims for Type II diabetes mellitus, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and tinnitus have been granted.,Service connection has been established for right and left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathies as secondary to his service-connected diabetes.,Regarding tinnitus, while it is not presumed due to herbicide exposure or a specific period of service, the Veteran's claim will be remanded for further consideration.