Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service connection claims for DM2, erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the LLE and RLE, and CAD are all granted. The aortic aneurysm claim is remanded.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower left and right extremities is now rated at 20 percent from April 27, 2023. The rating remains denied for higher evaluations.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were granted at 40 percent each. The TDIU claim prior to May 18, 2020 was denied.

The Veteran's initial ratings for residual cervical spine scar, left upper and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have been granted. The Veteran is now in receipt of a higher rating for his left upper and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy since August 20, 2019.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any right and left foot neuropathy, including whether it is related to military service or herbicide exposure. The case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left and right lower extremity polyneuropathy due to a lack of definitive opinion regarding the etiology of his conditions. The AOJ is instructed to obtain new VA examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any right and left foot neuropathy, including whether it is related to military service or herbicide exposure. The case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's claims for a hand condition, obstructive sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus type II, diabetic neuropathy, and eye disability have been denied. The previously denied claim for bipolar disorder/depression has been readjudicated.,There is no probative evidence to support the Veteran's assertions that his current conditions began during service or are related to in-service events.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing (SAH) or special home adaptation (SHA) grants due to his combined rating of 90 percent, which does not include anatomical loss or use of both hands or feet, and does not result in a permanent total disability that precludes locomotion without aids such as braces, crutches, canes, or wheelchair.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral distal tibial neuropathy in her big toes. The claim will be reviewed again with a new medical opinion.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disorder and peripheral neuropathy, finding that the Veteran did not have ischemic heart disease or establish continuity of symptomatology. The evidence also did not show direct service connection.

The Veteran's claims for cervical spine DDD, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and anterior neck scar service connection were denied. The effective dates for these awards are fixed in accordance with the facts found.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that his exposure to herbicide agents during active service is related to these conditions. The claim of service connection for sleep apnea was remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for anxiety, coronary artery disease (CAD), diabetes mellitus, right lower extremity diabetic polyneuropathy, and left lower extremity diabetic polyneuropathy as the appellant withdrew their appeal prior to a decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Board dismissed the appeals for earlier effective dates and service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes was granted, and the Board found that he is eligible for attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in a May 2023 rating decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper, right lower, and left lower extremities are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has granted the appeal for severance of service connection for left ulnar nerve upper extremity diabetic neuropathy, right ulnar nerve upper extremity diabetic neuropathy, and denied the appeal for severance of service connection for left lower extremity diabetic neuropathy and right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than December 9, 2021, for the grant of TDIU was denied. The Board found that the matter of TDIU was implicitly denied in the October 2018 decision and that the Veteran did not appeal this decision in a timely manner.