Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection were denied as there was no evidence of an increase in severity or causation prior to October 14, 2020.,The Veteran did not file a formal or informal claim for sleep apnea prior to October 17, 2020.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and various diabetic neuropathies, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU effective December 18, 2019.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his neck and back conditions, diabetes, coronary artery disease, and diabetic neuropathy, render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has found new and relevant evidence for the claims of service connection for right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, migraine headaches, pulmonary fibrosis, bronchitis, allergic seasonal rhinitis, and sleep apnea. The Veteran's participation in a toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) due to his verified service in Republic of Vietnam is conceded. A remand is required to obtain medical opinions regarding the relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's in-service exposure to toxins.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetic neuropathy of the left upper, right upper, left lower, and right lower extremities as they are proximately related to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type 2.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for diabetes mellitus, various peripheral neuropathies, sleep disorder, erectile dysfunction, and other conditions were denied.,There was no evidence of herbicide exposure or service in Vietnam that would have triggered a presumption of exposure.

The Veteran's right upper extremity neuropathy is rated at 30 percent, which meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for tongue cancer, bilateral upper extremity neuropathy, left upper extremity neuropathy, right lower extremity neuropathy, and left lower extremity neuropathy due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Veteran's exposure to herbicides is conceded.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as the April 3, 2023 rating decision was the initial decision on his claim for service connection for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The Appellant is not eligible for attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in this decision.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for a VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions, as there is insufficient evidence of record to make a determination on the merits.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and effective dates related to radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the appellant's representative.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's disabilities are due to his service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have been granted increased ratings of 40 percent each, effective from September 12, 2014, for the left side and June 1, 2016, for the right side. The TDIU rating is also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is granted. Claims for lumbar spine disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder are remanded due to lack of sufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, major depressive disorder and diabetes with associated peripheral neuropathy, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted entitlement to TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for neuropathy in all four limbs, finding no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and that the condition is not related to active duty.

The appeal of the increased disability rating for PTSD has been dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal. The claims for compensable ratings and service connection have been remanded.

The Veteran's low back condition is granted service connection, and he is awarded a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD. His diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction and hypertension is granted service connection but denied an increased rating. The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity diabetic neuropathy of the sciatic nerve and femoral nerve are each granted service connection.