Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board remands the claims for an earlier effective date and increased rating for polyneuropathy of all four extremities, as well as special monthly compensation due to loss of use of lower extremities.

The Board granted an initial rating of 40 percent for left and right lower extremity neuropathy, sciatic nerve.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals remands the claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, posttraumatic stress disorder, right foot peripheral neuropathy, right foot great toe fracture, and right knee disability due to an error in providing notice regarding the Veteran's right to a hearing.

The veteran was granted service connection for hypertension and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) with an effective date of November 13, 2019.

The appeal for an earlier effective date prior to September 30, 2021, for a 100 percent disability rating for loss of use of bilateral feet was dismissed.

The Board granted service connection for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding a causal relationship to the Veteran's service-connected hypothyroidism and conceded herbicide exposure. The Board remanded the issue of entitlement to service connection for headaches due to insufficient evidence.

The Board granted restoration of the 20 percent rating for right and left lower extremity diabetic neuropathy, effective December 1, 2024, as the reduction was not proper.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, depression as secondary to left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy and carpal tunnel syndrome, and PTSD. The claims for service connection for left and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathies, a left hand disability, and a right hand disability were remanded.

The Board denied initial ratings in excess of 40 percent for right upper extremity neuropathy and in excess of 30 percent for left upper extremity neuropathy, but granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted an effective date of May 8, 2018 for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) based on the Veteran's permanent and total disability status.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and other benefits, finding that his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board granted service connection for DDD and IVDS, acquired psychiatric disorder (MDD), diabetes mellitus type II, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities secondary to diabetes. The Board also denied an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss from April 29, 2014 to December 4, 2024, but granted a TDIU effective August 10, 2022.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including Fournier's gangrene of the scrotum with loss of right testicle, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, anal fistula, Hepatitis B & C, GERD, and bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, due to a need for additional development regarding herbicide agent and ionizing radiation exposure.

The Board granted service connection for a bilateral foot disability and a bilateral hand neurological disorder, both diagnosed as idiopathic peripheral neuropathy, based on the Veteran's presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his active duty service in Vietnam.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, diabetic retinopathy, restless leg syndrome, right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and insomnia as there was no evidence of in-service herbicide exposure or other related in-service events that could link these conditions to military service.

The Board denied service connection for a disability manifested by shortness of breath and remanded claims for dizziness, headache disorder, right lower extremity polyneuropathy, and left lower extremity polyneuropathy.

The Board granted service connection for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, but denied service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and an effective date prior to September 2, 2022, for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance. Other claims were denied.

The Veteran is granted eligibility for specially adapted housing due to a permanent and total disability involving the loss of use of both lower extremities, which precludes locomotion without the regular and constant use of assistive devices.

The Board denied service connection for neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities as there was no evidence to support a relationship between the Veteran's current diagnoses and his conceded toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) and exposure to herbicide agents.