Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for periodontal disease is denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosed condition. The claim for erectile dysfunction was dismissed due to lack of case or controversy.,Service connection for PTSD and MDD remains at 50 percent, but the Veteran asserts that he deserves a higher rating. The Board finds that a 70 percent rating is warranted from February 27, 2007.,The Veteran's sleep disorder claim was remanded due to insufficient rationale in the VA examiner’s opinion regarding causation or aggravation.,Service connection for hypertension remains denied as there is no evidence of secondary service connection. The Veteran's essential hypertension emerged prior to his diabetes diagnosis.,A VA cold weather injury examination and medical opinion are needed to determine if the Veteran has a left hand disorder due to frostbite and service-connected diabetes.,The Veteran’s right hand disorder claim was remanded as there is no evidence of secondary service connection. The Veteran asserts that he has trigger finger, but this condition may be related to his service-connected diabetes.,Service connection for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy remains denied due to insufficient rationale in the VA examiner's opinion regarding causation or aggravation.,Service connection for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was also remanded as there is no evidence of secondary service connection. The Veteran asserts that he has bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, but this condition may be related to his service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's initial rating for left leg peripheral vascular disease status-post femoral bypass surgery is denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating.,The Veteran's increased rating claim for diabetes mellitus type II (DM) is denied as he is currently receiving the maximum schedular evaluation and his symptoms do not warrant an increase in disability ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions render him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted.

The Board denied service connection for amebiasis, peripheral neuropathy, right hip disability, arthritis (all joints), and periodontal disease. The claims were remanded for further development in some cases.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, to include as due to herbicide exposure, due to incomplete records and need for a VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's death was not related to his service-connected disabilities, and therefore the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is denied. The appellant's entitlement to DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is also denied as the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a total disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities with residuals of transischemic attack has rendered him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance, qualifying for specially adapted housing. However, his claim for a special home adaptation grant is denied as moot because he is already eligible for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing.

The Veteran's bilateral pes cavus is currently rated as noncompensable prior to March 8, 2016, and 10% thereafter. The Veteran also claims service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, dizziness, vertigo, loss of balance, and falling, all secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes cavus.,The Veteran's left fibula fracture, groin pain, and residuals of a head injury are not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, with diabetic retinopathy and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, is rated at 40 percent since August 2, 2018. The rating for erectile dysfunction remains denied.

Your claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations and opinions to address the presence of any undiagnosed illness due to Gulf War service, as well as the etiology of ataxia, peripheral neuropathy disorders, and joint problems (including Lyme disease and celiac disease).,Veterans are being asked to provide evidence that their current conditions may be related to military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, basal cell carcinoma, and peripheral neuropathy are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. The Veteran is also denied an initial compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss and a higher rating for his tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance, which has been granted.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is not service-connected and is not related to his service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's gout is not service-connected and is not related to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has found that the claims for service connection, increased ratings, and TDIU need to be remanded due to procedural issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of all extremities, as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for service connection of peripheral neuropathy and sleep apnea. The claims were received more than one year after the Veteran’s separation from service, and the earliest possible assignable effective dates are August 18, 2016.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, left and right lower extremity neuropathy due to herbicide exposure. The claims are being returned for additional development including addendum medical opinions.

The Veteran's disability ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities have been restored from 40% to 10%, effective November 1, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus and its related complications, have been denied as they are not shown to be due to exposure to herbicides or any other in-service event.