Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and left great toe ulcer are being remanded for a VA examination to determine if they meet the criteria for automobile or adaptive equipment benefits.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral lower and upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding no evidence linking the conditions to service or Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has restored service connection for right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and erectile dysfunction. The SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ was also restored.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted on a secondary basis to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The rating for cardiovascular disease, coronary artery disease, has been denied as the evidence does not support an increased rating beyond 30 percent.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, hypertension, diabetic retinopathy, renal disease, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and GERD have been granted service connection based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during active duty in Subic Bay, Philippines.,Service connection for sleep apnea disorder, dental condition, cataracts, diabetic gastroparesis, erectile dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities is remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings and effective dates for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (femoral nerve) have been dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded as there was an error in the duty to assist and AOJ errors.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is now rated at 40 percent effective September 19, 2019.

The Board has remanded the claims for peripheral neuropathy and hearing loss due to service connection, as there were errors in the duty to assist and potential relevant evidence was not considered. The Veteran's exposure during service is unclear, but he reported frostbite-related symptoms and noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for allergic rhinitis was denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have nasal polyps, which is required for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 6522.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to diabetes mellitus were remanded due to incomplete evidence regarding toxic exposure at Fort McClellan.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that the Veteran's condition is secondary to chemotherapy used to treat his service-connected non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

The Veteran is granted SMC at the rate provided under 38 U.S.C. §1114(o) and SMC at the rate provided under 38 U.S.C. §1114(r)(1), based on his need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected conditions, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and scars.

The Veteran's service connection claims for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, as well as upper extremities, erectile dysfunction, thyroid disability, skin cancer (involving the face, arms, legs, and back), and obstructive sleep apnea have been granted. The evidence submitted after the May 2023 denial supports these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral lower extremity idiopathic neuropathy, have resulted in the effective loss of use of both feet. The Board finds that this meets the criteria for eligibility to financial assistance for an automobile and adaptive equipment.

The Board has remanded the cases due to errors in addressing the dapsone-service-connection theory and considering all relevant evidence, including in-service infections.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the reduction in disability rating for right upper extremity radiculopathy and cubital tunnel syndrome, an initial evaluation for right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, service connection for right flatfoot associated with metatarsalgia, left upper extremity ulnar nerve neuropathy (previously carpal tunnel syndrome and cubital tunnel syndrome), and service connection for right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral kidney condition, diabetes mellitus type II (diabetes), right hip condition, left hip condition, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, erectile dysfunction, and hypertension. The issues related to a right knee condition are being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than November 9, 2017 were denied as the effective date of service connection was set at that time based on a new claim received by VA.

The Board has granted an effective date of September 6, 2019 for the service connection of diabetic neuropathy in multiple lower and upper extremities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes, have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his inability to prepare meals, manage medications, and perform daily activities. The Board granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance.