Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board granted service connection for multiple heart disabilities, diabetes mellitus, type II, hypothyroidism, bladder cancer, hypertension, diabetic nephropathy, peripheral neuropathies, bilateral non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, and erectile dysfunction based on the Veteran's exposure to herbicides in Korea.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions associated with herbicide exposure are denied as they were not based on additional official service department records, and the effective date is April 1, 2019.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as the evidence did not show that his service-connected disabilities precluded him from securing or following any substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability from February 22, 2021, through February 22, 2022, and an earlier effective date of February 22, 2021, for the grant of eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35.

The Veteran's back disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis of the spine, degenerative disc disease, spondylosis of the spine, and intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), is granted.,The Veteran's left upper neuropathy is related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents and is granted.,The Veteran's right upper neuropathy is related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents and is granted.,The Veteran's right lower radiculopathy, causally due to his service-connected back disability, is granted.,The Veteran's left lower radiculopathy, causally due to his service-connected back disability, is granted.

The Board granted a 50 percent rating for diabetic peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity (radial) and a 40 percent rating for lumbar radiculopathy with diabetic peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity (sciatic), while denying higher ratings in other cases. The appeal for TDIU was denied due to the Veteran's failure to provide necessary information.

The Veteran's appeals for PTSD, tinnitus, lumbar strain, sleep apnea, cervical strain, upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, adjustment disorder, and a left elbow scar were dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeals. The claims for increased ratings of bilateral cubital tunnel syndrome are denied as the Veteran failed to attend scheduled VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The claims for service connection for neuropathy, left foot and right foot, as well as kidney disease, were remanded due to insufficient examination findings.

The Veteran's TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate are granted due to his service-connected disabilities, including right lower extremity neuropathy, diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, and tinnitus.

The Veteran is awarded an effective date for entitlement to a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) from May 15, 2020, the date of his original claim for increased rating for service-connected left hand neuropathy.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability due to lack of jurisdiction.,The reduction in rating for left upper extremity neuropathy from 40% to 20% effective March 1, 2023 is upheld.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral upper extremity neuropathy has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran during the appeal process.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral retinopathy due to inadequate development regarding his exposure to chemicals or other toxins while stationed at Bergstrom AFB.

The Veteran's left and right foot peripheral neuropathy, as well as cystic kidney disease, are not service connected due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,VA has determined that the Veteran does not have a compensable rating for hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to unclear notice and denial reasons. The Board finds the PCAFC decision did not clearly state which criteria were unmet, leading to a need for clarification.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the claim for an initial compensable rating is denied.,Service connection for right knee arthritis has been granted in full by a prior decision. The appeal of this issue is dismissed.,Service connection for RLE, LLE, RUE, and LUE peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure is not established as the evidence does not support a nexus between these conditions and service.

The appeal regarding hypertension is dismissed, and the issue of an increased rating for left upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral lower extremity sciatic peripheral neuropathy, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral hearing loss, prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and degenerative joint disease/degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the cervical spine have been denied due to lack of new and relevant evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy is being remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The claim cannot be granted under any raised theory of entitlement based on the current evidence of record, and a new examination and medical opinion are needed regarding the relationship between the Veteran's exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune and his peripheral neuropathy.