Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU prior to January 7, 2015 are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his Social Security Administration records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him housebound or in need of regular aid and attendance prior to October 30, 2019. Therefore, entitlement to an effective date prior to that date for SMC at the housebound rate is denied.

The Board has denied service connection for left and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that the evidence does not support a relationship to service or within one year of separation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, type II and its related conditions such as erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy, and thrombosis with sciatic nerve involvement, have been granted effective from February 1, 2017. The Veteran is also awarded special monthly compensation for the loss of use of a creative organ due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and peripheral neuropathies affecting his lower extremities, have resulted in the need for aid and attendance of another person. The Board has determined that the criteria for SMC based on aid and attendance are met.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremity is being remanded due to a lack of a VA examination and medical opinion. The Board finds that the McLendon elements have been met, indicating there may be a causal nexus between the condition and military service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower right and left extremity neuropathy due to an improper concurrent election of review options.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for earlier effective dates and increased ratings related to right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, TDIU, and DEA eligibility. The appeal is dismissed without prejudice.

The Board has granted service connection for right upper extremity and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his active service exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for diabetes, residuals of stroke as secondary to stroke, right upper extremity neuropathy, high blood pressure, and a neck disorder due to incomplete VA examinations and lack of clear reasoning in the opinions provided.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance is denied because he does not meet the criteria to be in need of regular aid and assistance. The claim for special monthly compensation based on housebound status is also denied as there are no disabilities rated at 100% disabling, nor is he permanently confined to his dwelling.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted for special monthly compensation (SMC).

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity. The decision found that there is no nexus between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities is being remanded due to a duty to assist error. A medical opinion is needed regarding whether his condition was caused by exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has denied service connection for left shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, diabetes mellitus type II, diabetic sensory motor neuropathy, renal calculus, erectile dysfunction, and right knee disability.,There is no evidence of a chronic or continuous condition since service separation.

The Board has determined that the severance of service connection for left elbow limited flexion, left elbow impairment of supination and pronation, and left upper extremity ulnar neuropathy was improper. Service connection is restored for these conditions. The issue of unspecified anxiety disorder remains under review.

The Board has granted service connection for right ilioinguinal nerve neuropathy with osteitis pubis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected inguinal hernia associated with residuals, status post exploratory laparotomy, abcess drainage, appendectomy and right inguinal scar status post hernia repair.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on four different conditions have been dismissed due to their death during the appeal process.

The Veteran's bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathies associated with diabetes mellitus are not shown to be more than mild in severity, warranting no more than the current 10 percent ratings.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, prostate cancer, and bilateral peripheral neuropathy as they have been granted in a previous decision.