Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's death was not service-connected due to his pre-existing conditions and the denial of DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as he does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes and his peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities has been rated at 20 percent since December 24, 2008.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since the entire appeal period, and he is entitled to SMC under 38 U.S.C. &#1114(s) due to his other service-connected disabilities.

The VA has reduced the ratings for right arm, left arm, right leg and left leg polyneuropathy from 30 percent to 10 percent effective January 1, 2012. The Veteran's conditions are not secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral upper and lower extremity neuropathy is related to his service-connected diabetes, warranting service connection. However, there is no evidence of carotid artery disease for VA compensation purposes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with MDD and adenocarcinoma of the lung, prevent him from securing or following gainful employment. The Board finds that he is entitled to a TDIU rating.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease, both presumed to be due to herbicide exposure. The claims for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and erectile dysfunction as secondary to diabetes are also granted.

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of his service-connected disabilities prior to October 14, 2015.

The Board found it not factually ascertainable that the Veteran had loss of use of both lower extremities prior to June 30, 2015, which is required for SMC at the R-1 rate.

The Board has remanded the case for extraschedular consideration of the Veteran's right ulnar neuropathy, and to determine whether a separate rating is warranted for his tremor.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his sciatic neuropathy with lumbar spondylosis and spondylolisthesis, finding that the evidence did not support a rating higher than 40 percent. The claim for increased rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy was remanded.

The Board has granted a higher rate of SMC as contemplated by 38 U.S.C. § 1114(o) and (r)(1), effective from the date of receipt of evidence, March 21, 2018.

The Board has remanded two issues: entitlement to service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities due to inadequate VA examination. The Veteran's claims are pending further development.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, including as secondary to herbicide agents exposure, requires additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied the remaining claims. The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his in-service noise exposure, with the evidence being in equipoise.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for type II diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction was denied. The claim for TDIU before August 1, 2008, was also denied.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to address his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities is found to be caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus granted as secondary service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for migraine headaches, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and GERD, each including as due to service-connected right knee arthritis. The Veteran did not experience any current disability related to these conditions that could be attributed to active service or any incident of service.

The Veteran's use of his VA-issued bilateral knee braces with hinges caused wear and tear on his clothing, leading to a decision granting a clothing allowance for the year 2013.