Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeal for an effective date earlier than June 7, 2016 for the assignment of service connection for a back disability has been dismissed.,An initial disability rating of 40 percent, but no more, effective June 7, 2016 for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is granted.,An initial disability rating of 40 percent, but no more, effective June 7, 2016 for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity is granted.,The Veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for a right knee disability has been dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower and upper extremities, finding that the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his active duty in Vietnam contributed to the development of these conditions.

The Board is remanding the case for further adjudication, including consideration of whether there was clear and unmistakable error in a November 1978 administrative decision regarding dishonorable service. The earlier effective dates for PTSD, TBI, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy are also being considered.

The Board denied claims for effective dates prior to January 24, 2018 for service connection of various conditions including diabetic peripheral neuropathy and psoriatic arthritis. The effective date was set at the date of receipt of the claim.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities is denied as there was no communication prior to March 31, 2010 indicating intent to seek this service connection.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD. The other issues are remanded for further development and consideration.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including low back disability, right and left knee disabilities, left foot disability, headaches secondary to PTSD, peripheral neuropathy of upper extremities, herpes, cervical spine disability (secondary to PTSD), right and left hip pain, and hypertension. The only condition granted was an acquired psychiatric condition (PTSD, depression, anxiety and other stressor related disorder).

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, diabetic nephropathy, and peripheral neuropathies have been granted service connection due to herbicide exposure in Thailand.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, including degenerative disc disease with neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, is denied as there is no evidence linking it to service.,The Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is denied as there is no evidence linking it to service.

The Board has determined that the remand instructions were not fully complied with and thus requires additional medical opinions to address the Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 and service connection for bilateral lower extremity neuropathy.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and medical opinion regarding his claimed shoulder disabilities and cold injury residuals. The AOJ will also consider any evidence added since the December 2022 Supplemental Statement of the Case in connection with the issue of service connection for residuals of cold injury to the bilateral feet.

The Board has granted effective dates of June 22, 2015 for a 30% rating for pes planus and a 20% rating for peripheral neuropathy (common peroneal) of the right first and second toes. The earliest possible effective date is June 22, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable prior to August 9, 2011. The Board finds that the evidence does not show any single disability preventing the Veteran from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted, and the claims for other conditions are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, ischemic heart disease, and type 2 diabetes mellitus (diabetes), have caused him to require the aid and attendance of another person for his activities of daily living. The Board has granted entitlement to special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has granted service connection for right ischemic optic neuropathy, but has remanded the issues of service connection for a right eye disability and a left eye disability due to procedural errors.

The Board denied service connection for cataracts, neuropathy, and residuals of a stroke as a complication of diabetes mellitus due to the lack of evidence showing these conditions at the time of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy associated with CAD/IHD with status post CABG are rated at 20 percent and 10 percent, respectively. The effective dates for these awards are September 8, 2016.,SMC based on aid and attendance is granted as the Veteran requires regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

Service connection for nasopharyngeal cancer is granted from August 10, 2022. Service connection for diabetes, right and left lower extremity diabetic neuropathy, and DDD with osteoporosis resulting in a vertebral fracture are remanded.

The appeal for service connection for right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is dismissed as the benefits have been granted.,The appeal for service connection for OSA is denied.,The appeal for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is dismissed as moot.