Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of April 3, 2018 for the grant of increased rating of 20 percent for left ulnar nerve peripheral neuropathy is denied. The Board has also remanded the Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected left ulnar nerve peripheral neuropathy.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and its secondary effects on the Veteran's bilateral upper and lower extremities. The evidence did not show a link to service.,The Board also denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper and lower extremities, as well as left upper and lower extremities, all secondary to diabetes mellitus. Again, there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral knee disabilities and diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy, have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his physical and mental incapacity.

The Veteran's initial ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerve in both lower extremities and median nerve in both upper extremities have been granted at a 40 percent rating, effective from June 13, 2017.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and hypertension are all granted as service-connected due to exposure to herbicide agents during his service on the Korat RTAFB. The heart disability claim is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral lower extremity neuropathy was reopened due to new and relevant evidence. The Board found that the Veteran had a current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy, which became manifest within service, meeting the criteria for presumptive service connection under Agent Orange exposure. Service connection is granted for this condition. However, there is no evidence linking the bilateral upper extremity neuropathy to service or herbicide exposure, and thus it was denied.

Your appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate your claims as they are no longer pending.

Your appeal for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities has been dismissed as there is no proper decision on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus was denied. The Board found that the current symptoms did not warrant a higher than 20 percent rating under DC 7913. For TDIU, the Veteran met the criteria as of February 27, 2018, and his combined disability rating is at least 70%. However, the claim was dismissed due to the Veteran's receipt of a 100% combined disability rating from August 7, 2023 onwards.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral hearing loss were denied. The claim for service connection of right ear hearing loss was granted.

The Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation (SMC) other than based on the loss of use of a creative organ was denied as he does not meet the criteria for SMC due to lack of need for aid and attendance or permanent housebound status.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for left ilio-inguinal neuropathy status post neuroma excision, finding that the disability resulted in no more than moderate incomplete paralysis of the affected nerve.

The Veteran's initial rating claims for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right upper extremities have been denied. The Board has granted a higher rating (60%) for the Veteran's right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy as of December 11, 2019.,A TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional information regarding the Veteran's employment history.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, obstructive sleep apnea, and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, have prevented him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment since January 1, 2014.,Prior to February 10, 2016, the Veteran was not in receipt of a combined disability rating that met the criteria for SMC based on housebound status.

The Board has remanded all of the Veteran's claims due to procedural errors and incomplete records, particularly regarding his service treatment records and potential military environmental exposures.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of development regarding the Veteran's exposure claims and for an examination in regard to his peripheral neuropathy conditions. The effective date for service connection remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, right upper extremity, left lower extremity, and right lower extremity, all secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's prostate cancer, left eye nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy, left lower extremity and right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and coronary artery disease (status post NSTEMI) have been granted initial evaluations. Effective dates for these determinations are also established.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to April 22, 2011, prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development to clarify whether myofascial pain syndrome is a symptom of service-connected disabilities or another disability.