Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are granted as service-connected due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents while serving at U-Tapao RTAFB in Thailand.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction and right upper extremity neuropathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities have been granted with an effective date of October 27, 2010. The Veteran is also entitled to a grant of service connection under the Blue Water Navy Act of 2019 as his type II diabetes mellitus was previously granted under this act.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both upper extremities due to a lack of adequate medical opinion and potential pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board denied service connection for right upper extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or were related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II was also denied as there was no evidence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to deficiencies in the record existing prior to the appealed decision. The issues of service connection for cervical spine disability, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity are being addressed.

The Veteran's increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left sciatic nerves have been granted, but an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus has been denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the death of the Veteran and his widow, as there is no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of the claims.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits were granted effective February 10, 2020, due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for median and radial neuropathy of the left forearm, finding that it was caused by or aggravated during active service.

The Veteran's left hip limitation of extension is rated at the highest schedular level (10%). The left internal saphenous neuropathy is rated as severe incomplete paralysis, warranting a 10% rating. The left knee disability remains at 60%, which is the maximum allowable under VA regulations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, in combination, rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation as of August 10, 2019. As such, the Board has granted a TDIU effective from that date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right upper extremity neurological disorders to include peripheral neuropathy are being remanded due to a lack of an adequate medical opinion in the December 2020 rating decision.,An effective date prior to April 14, 2019, for the grant of service connection for a neck disability is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were denied. The rating for diabetic neuropathy of the right and left legs was also denied, as well as claims for gastrointestinal and left ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's renal failure is granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes with erectile dysfunction. The Board has also remanded for further examination and rating of the Veteran's diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to insufficient evidence of his employment history and income levels, despite meeting the criteria for TDIU. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the threshold minimum requirements for TDIU as he was unable to provide specific information about his educational and occupational background.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's Chiari malformation and mandible disorder. The case will be remanded for further medical opinions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are caused by his service-connected conditions, and the claim for a compensable rating for a right knee scar is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for initial ratings of 40 percent for diabetic peripheral neuropathy, right and left lower extremities, sciatic nerve was granted. SMC for loss of use of the lower extremities is denied.

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations of his service-connected disabilities have been remanded due to the lack of documentation regarding attempts to contact him and reschedule VA examinations.