Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2024

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, left and right lower extremity conditions (claimed as neural neuropathies), are granted service connection. The claims for left shoulder surgery and lower back pain remain pending and will be remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for initial evaluations in excess of 20 percent for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, as well as for initial compensable evaluations for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The AOJ is instructed to schedule a VA Peripheral Nerves Conditions examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ischemic heart disease, type II diabetes, diabetic neuropathy in all four extremities, hypertension, kidney cancer, and thyroid cancer are granted. Service connection is also granted for loss of use of the left foot due to diabetic neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, specifically failing to provide a VA examination for the claimed left hand neuropathy condition. The Veteran's service connection claim is now pending again.

The Board has restored service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities involving the femoral nerve.,The appeal regarding the proposed reduction and discontinuance of SMC at housebound rate is dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for left wrist arthritis. The claims for left hand arthritis and neuropathy of the left upper extremity are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual employability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, which prevented him from securing or following any substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his physical conditions, including knee, hip, and back issues.

The Veteran's IHD is rated at a maximum of 60 percent effective October 5, 2020.,Basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits was established as of the same date.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, as secondary to diabetes mellitus, due to inadequate examination and opinion in the prior rating decision.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings on several conditions has been dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is rated at 60 percent and denied a higher rating.,The Veteran's left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is rated at 20 percent and denied a higher rating.,The Veteran's right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is rated at 30 percent and denied a higher rating.,The Veteran's diabetic peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity is rated at 20 percent and denied a higher rating.,The Veteran's diabetic peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity is rated at 20 percent and denied a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for carpal tunnel syndrome, right wrist; right hand joint pain secondary to median neuropathy; and ulnar neuropathy were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left lower extremity peripheral artery disease and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, result in the loss of use of both lower extremities. The Board has granted eligibility for specially adapted housing due to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's hypertension began in service or is otherwise related to service, including elevated blood pressure readings in May 1975. The other claims of service connection are denied.

Your claim for service connection for polyneuropathy has been granted, and the appeal is dismissed as it no longer remains on appeal.

The Veteran's TDIU, initial evaluations for peripheral neuropathy in the right and left lower extremities, diabetes, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss are granted. The effective dates for these determinations are September 25, 2018.

The Board has dismissed all claims related to effective dates and disability ratings for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, neuropathies, lung cancer, and coronary artery disease. The appeal is dismissed due to the death of the Appellant.

The Board dismissed the appeal as there was no valid fee decision for review, and thus the case is not a matter of controversy.

The Veteran's right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted as service connected, and his claim for TDIU is also granted.