Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and polyneuropathy of the sciatic and femoral nerves, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connection due to in-service noise exposure.,The Veteran's right lower extremity and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are granted as service connection due to presumed herbicide exposure (Agent Orange).,The Veteran's right upper extremity and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy are granted as service connection due to presumed herbicide exposure (Agent Orange).

The Veteran's service connection for back disability, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral ankle impingement/entrapment with foot edema has been granted effective from May 1, 2023.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment since October 10, 2009. His TDIU claim is granted as of that date.

The Veteran's right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy have been granted increased ratings, while the right lower extremity sciatic nerve peripheral neuropathy and left lower extremity sciatic nerve peripheral neuropathy remain denied. A separate rating of 10 percent has also been granted for right lower extremity femoral nerve neuropathy.

The Veteran's heart conditions, including CAD, MI, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, congestive heart failure, supraventricular arrhythmia, and CABG are granted as presumed due to herbicide exposure. DM is also granted. Peripheral neuropathy of the LLE, RLE, LUE, and RUE is granted secondary to DM.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to potential herbicide exposure while stationed along the DMZ in Korea. The AOJ needs to verify the Veteran's presence and duties near the DMZ.

The Veteran's eligibility for VA's PCAFC benefits is being remanded due to insufficient medical opinion supporting the denial of benefits. The Board finds that the Veteran requires personal care services and supervision, meeting the basic medical eligibility criteria under PCAFC.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for thoracolumbar spine disorder, right lower extremity and left lower extremity neurological disorders, and hypertension due to potential in-service exposure. The AOJ is required to develop these issues further.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy of the femoral nerve, as well as left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerve prior to December 26, 2024, were denied. The Veteran was granted a 30 percent rating from December 26, 2024, for his left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerve.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance/housebound is being remanded due to a duty to assist error. The case will be returned to the RO for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is being remanded for further evaluation due to insufficient opinions regarding its relationship to his service-connected disabilities and obesity.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including peripheral neuropathy and neck disability, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since May 3, 2018.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) secondary to the Veteran's service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities on a causation basis, with obesity as an intermediate step.

The Veteran's appeal for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a right finger amputation, SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ, and service connection for diabetic nephropathy, right foot contusion, vision condition, LLE PN, RLE PN, LUE PN, and RUE PN is dismissed due to procedural issues.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for LLE PN, RLE PN, LUE PN, and RUE PN was dismissed as untimely.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal of the reduction in ratings for his service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the femoral nerve on both lower extremities, finding that there was no actual improvement and thus denying the appeal.

The Board denied the appellant's request for attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the May 2024 rating decision, as the claims were not related to service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for eye strokes is dismissed as the claim has been fully granted with the award of service connection for bilateral optic neuropathy and pseudophakia.

The Veteran's diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, specifically affecting the femoral nerve, is rated at a 60 percent disability rating since February 14, 2025. The Veteran also received a 60 percent rating for his diabetic peripheral neuropathy in both lower extremities involving the sciatic and common peroneal nerves. Additionally, he was granted a 60 percent rating for chronic renal disease with hypertension.