Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected chronic sinusitis and laryngeal disability have been granted. The reduction of the disability evaluation for chronic sinusitis was improper, and a 50 percent rating is restored effective April 1, 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and following substantial gainful employment, leading to a grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's right and left upper extremity neuropathy are rated at 50 percent each, effective from the date of the decision. The TDIU is granted based on service-connected migraine headaches.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus II and associated conditions have produced impairment inconsistent with obtaining or following substantially gainful employment from June 12, 2017, to March 5, 2024. The Board grants a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for this period.

The Veteran's chronic kidney disease is now rated at 60 percent effective July 24, 2024.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been denied. The appeals are either not granted or the maximum rating has already been assigned.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, left and right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy, and Meniere's disease. The conditions are considered to be directly related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back condition and bilateral foot neuropathy due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The AOJ will need to obtain an appropriate medical opinion to properly determine the etiology of the Veteran's current conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher level of SMC was denied as the Board found that he is already in receipt of SMC at the (l) rate based on need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease with congestive heart failure. A second award of SMC at the (l) rate based on need for regular aid and attendance was not warranted.

The Board has granted service connection for Type II Diabetes Mellitus, Bilateral Lower Extremity Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (Sciatic Nerve), Erectile Dysfunction, and Bladder Cancer in remission. Effective dates have been set for these awards as of July 14, 2004. The Veteran's claim for higher initial disability ratings and earlier effective dates are being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right carpal tunnel syndrome with median nerve neuropathy is secondary to his service-connected limitation of motion of left wrist, and grants this claim.

The Veteran withdrew their appeals for all issues related to sciatic nerve peripheral neuropathy and peripheral neuropathy neuralgia in both lower extremities, leaving only femoral nerve peripheral neuropathy issues unresolved.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection awards of peripheral neuropathy affecting various nerves, finding that the claims were not supported by new and material evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and following substantial gainful employment, leading to a grant of TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for left hand numbness, right hand numbness, left foot numbness, right foot numbness, and peripheral artery disease. The claims of service connection for epidermophytosis (claimed as trench foot), bilateral flat foot (pes planus), bilateral hammer toes, and hallux valgus (right foot) are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.,Given the grant of TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD, the Veteran has a single service-connected disability rated as total (PTSD) and additional service-connected disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent or more.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypertension, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and a heart disability are all granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides during active duty in Vietnam.

The Board has granted DIC benefits based on service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his service-connected prostate cancer and its treatment caused his death due to side effects from Zytiga.

The Veteran's claim for an initial 70 percent rating for service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity is granted. The Board also remanded the issue of entitlement to SMC based on a need for aid and attendance.

Service connection for OSA is granted, and the Veteran's initial ratings for atrial fibrillation, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity neuralgia, and left upper extremity neuralgia are all granted at 10 percent.