Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for PTSD and a TDIU prior to June 25, 2019 have been dismissed. The appeal for an effective date prior to June 25, 2019 for DEA benefits has also been dismissed.

The Board dismissed the appeals regarding peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities. Service connection for diabetes mellitus was granted.

The Board granted increased ratings for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, but denied higher ratings. TDIU was also granted.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability evaluations have been dismissed due to the submission of a VA Form 10182 that is not valid for initiating Board review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes type II and bilateral neuropathy of the lower extremities, as both conditions are related to his exposure to PFAS during active duty. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional evidence confirming the Veteran's exposure to PFAS and to provide a VA examination to determine if his diabetes type II originated during or is etiologically related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to duty-to-assist errors and insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's service-connected conditions contributing to his death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected lower extremity neuropathy does not result in loss of use of his feet, thus he is ineligible for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings in multiple service-connected disabilities have been dismissed. A TDIU has been granted due to the combined effect of his psychiatric and physical disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension prior to August 10, 2022 and for erectile dysfunction due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding whether these conditions are proximately due or aggravated by service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran was granted service connection for right and left lower extremity neuropathy due to herbicide exposure, Parkinson's disease due to Gulf War exposure, dry eyes secondary to Parkinson's disease, incontinence secondary to Parkinson's disease, and a psychiatric disability (dementia) secondary to Parkinson's disease.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction was also granted service connection as secondary to his Parkinson's disease.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as he is not entitled to an increased level of SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance, given his current service-connected disabilities and existing levels of SMC.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates have been dismissed as the claims were not filed within one year of the final rating decisions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted effective June 30, 2017. The Board found that the increase in disability caused by his service-connected conditions made him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of this date.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision.

Service connection is granted for diabetes mellitus, type II, prostate cancer, and coronary artery disease due to herbicide exposure during service in Thailand.,The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, erectile dysfunction, and hypertension are also granted as secondary to the service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence in some cases, requiring further examination and medical opinions.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal because the issue of entitlement to service connection for left arm diabetic neuropathy prior to October 2020 is moot due to a later grant of benefits in August 2022.

The Veteran's right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy disability was reduced to a 20 percent rating, but the Board has restored the original 40 percent rating due to lack of evidence showing improvement in his ability to function under ordinary conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to errors in determining his qualifying service periods and a lack of VA examination regarding his lower back symptoms.