Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance was granted effective May 26, 2021. He also received increased ratings of 40 percent each for his left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has vacated the March 18, 2024 decision that granted a 20% rating for left upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy (median nerve) from December 21, 2022. The Veteran's symptoms have worsened since then, showing moderate incomplete paralysis of the left median nerve.

The Board has remanded the claims for COPD and left peroneal neuropathy due to Agent Orange exposure, as there is insufficient evidence on record regarding their etiology.

The Board has determined that the case must be remanded due to inadequate examinations and opinions provided by VA. The Veteran's right wrist disability, including neurological symptoms, needs to be re-evaluated for a proper rating determination.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for a low back condition, service connection for neuropathy of the LLE and RLE associated with his service-connected low back condition, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder have all been denied. The claim for TDIU has also been denied.

The Veteran's appeal for increased disability ratings for urinary frequency, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy disabilities, and left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy is dismissed due to the invalidity of his July 2019 Notice of Disagreement.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including diabetes mellitus type 2 and its associated neuropathies, prostate cancer with bladder dysfunction, and radiation proctitis with anemia, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted TDIU based on the cumulative effect of these disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes and diabetes peripheral neuropathy are being remanded due to the need for a medical opinion regarding the relationship between his military service and these conditions, given his exposure to burn pits during his deployments.

Your service connection claims for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have been fully granted in an August 2024 rating decision, making the appeal moot.

The Veteran seeks a TDIU from June 30, 2012 to January 5, 2016. The Board finds that the August 2012 rating decision is not final and remands for adjudication of his claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, finding that the earliest diagnosis was on July 13, 2021.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted on a presumptive basis under the PACT Act.,Service connection for right upper extremity diabetic neuropathy and left upper extremity diabetic neuropathy is denied as there is no current disability or evidence of such during service.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied due to lack of current disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for initial disability ratings of 40 percent each for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, effective October 17, 2018.

The Board has vacated the previous decisions dismissing claims for service connection for skin conditions, and remanded the claim of entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, coronary artery disease (CAD), and diabetes mellitus. The issues are now pending before the Board again.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to inadequate development and compliance with previous remands.

Effective dates of December 8, 2011 are granted for service connection for diabetes, diabetic peripheral neuropathy in multiple extremities, erectile dysfunction, and renal failure. Effective date of February 19, 2013 is granted for service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD).

The Veteran's hypertension is granted from August 10, 2022. Service connection for right lower extremity, right upper extremity, and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure (PACT Act) is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that it is related to the appellant's service-connected Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS).

The appeals for service connection of diabetes mellitus type II, sleep apnea, posttraumatic stress disorder, nerve damage/diabetic neuropathy in the left lower extremity, and nerve damage/diabetic neuropathy in the right lower extremity have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's right upper extremity and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have been granted initial disability ratings of 50 percent, each. The left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy has also been granted an initial disability rating of 40 percent. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities has been granted.