Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, so he is granted total disability due to individual unemployability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for left and right foot neuropathy, concluding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for the requested ratings.

The veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities was granted. The Board found that the veteran is unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.

The veteran's service connection for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) was restored effective July 1, 2020. The veteran is also entitled to special monthly compensation based on housebound status from the same date and an effective date of October 2, 2018, for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits.

The veteran was granted service connection for bilateral cataracts as secondary to diabetes mellitus. The veteran was also granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from February 10, 2022. All other issues were denied or remanded.

The veteran's PTSD rating was increased to 50% before March 5, 2019, and to 100% starting March 5, 2019. The effective date for special monthly compensation due to the need for aid and attendance is July 9, 2017. However, claims for total disability rating based on individual unemployability, special monthly compensation at the housebound rate, and an earlier effective date for DEA were denied.

The Veteran's cause of death is service-connected due to diabetes and diabetic neuropathy related to his service in Vietnam. The evidence supports that the Veteran's diabetic neuropathy contributed substantially to his death.

The Board remanded the claims for service connection for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran's toxic exposures during service are a key factor in determining if these conditions are related to his service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for multiple conditions, including PTSD and diabetes, was granted. The character of the Veteran's discharge from service does not bar VA benefits.

The Board granted service connection for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) effective July 1, 2020, and special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status from the same date. The veteran also received an effective date of October 2, 2018, for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits.

The appeal for service connection of right leg numbness was dismissed because the condition was already granted service connection in a previous decision.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy in all four extremities, stating the veteran does not have a peripheral nerve condition.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea but remanded decisions on asbestosis, diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy, erectile dysfunction, and total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability.

The veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, residuals of prostate cancer, hypertension, and neuropathy of the lower extremities were denied. The claim for tinnitus was granted.

The Board remanded the veteran's claim for individual unemployability due to errors in obtaining necessary medical opinions and records. The veteran will undergo further examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a disability rating higher than 20% for left lower extremity neuropathy of the sciatic nerve. The decision was based on medical evidence showing moderate incomplete paralysis, which qualifies for a 20% rating.

The appeal was dismissed because the veteran withdrew it before a decision was made.

The veteran's PTSD rating was increased to 70% from June 10, 2020. The veteran also received a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The veteran withdrew the appeal and is satisfied with their current 100% rating. The Board dismissed all issues on appeal.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of left and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy was granted. The claim for an earlier effective date for asthma with bronchitis and a higher rating for the same condition were denied. TDIU from November 29, 2013, was granted.