Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for left and right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy has been granted with effective dates of June 1, 2020.,Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) based on the loss of use of a creative organ was also granted with an effective date of February 24, 2021.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for nephrology, apocrine hidrocystoma of the left eyelid and nose, diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy, bilateral lower extremity diabetic neuropathy, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction is remanded due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's compensable rating claim for apocrine hidrocystoma of the left eyelid and nose is also remanded.

The Veteran's current pes planus is granted as a continuation of his in-service flat feet.,A disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD is granted, reflecting occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The appeal for service connection for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is dismissed. The appeal for service connection for right ankle disability secondary to a service-connected condition is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a prostate condition, neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and neuropathy of the left lower extremity due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has identified duty to assist errors related to the verification of herbicide agent exposure, radiation exposure, and service connection for diabetes mellitus type II. The claims are remanded for further development.

The appeal for service connection of colon cancer and peripheral neuropathy (PN) of the lower extremities is dismissed. The appeal for service connection of colon cancer is remanded.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection of back disability due to it being decided prior to the implementation of the Appeals Modernization Act. The right leg neuropathy and acquired psychiatric disabilities (anxiety and major depression) are remanded for further review.

The Board has restored the Veteran's disability ratings for peripheral neuropathy in both lower extremities from 40% to 20%, effective September 29, 2020.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his heart disease and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and METs testing.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran is presumed exposed to herbicide agents, and VA must provide an examination to determine whether his current conditions are related to service.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates for LUE neuropathy, RUE neuropathy, LLE neuropathy, and RLE neuropathy. The Veteran is now entitled to increased ratings for his bilateral upper and lower extremity neuropathies.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy has prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful occupation since April 2008.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support his inability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as it was incurred in service. The claims for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left feet are denied due to lack of new and relevant evidence.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal in its entirety, resulting in the dismissal of all service connection claims for muscle atrophy and neuropathy involving various extremities.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70% due to occupational and social impairment, but the ratings for bilateral upper and lower extremity neuropathy are denied.

The Board has vacated the February 2024 decisions denying service connection for rectal cancer, left lower extremity neuropathy, left upper extremity neuropathy, right lower extremity neuropathy, and irritable bowel syndrome. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during service or are related to in-service exposures.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, low back disability, PTSD with alcohol use disorder, hypothyroidism, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities is dismissed. The claims for higher ratings are remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.