Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's new and relevant evidence has been submitted, reopening the claims for service connection of peripheral neuropathy in all four extremities. The appeal is granted to that limited extent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and associated peripheral neuropathy was granted effective December 17, 2019. The decision also grants the same effective date for the secondary service-connected peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a disability rating more than 20 percent for right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy prior to August 30, 2012; awarded a 40 percent rating for the right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy from August 30, 2012 and denied a rating more than 40 percent from that date; denied a rating more than 10 percent for left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy prior to January 23, 2012; and denied a rating more than 20 percent for left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy from January 23, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was reopened and granted due to presumed exposure to an herbicide agent in Vietnam.,Service connection was also granted for right ear hearing loss based on in-service acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is dismissed as moot because he is already receiving a 100% schedular rating for PTSD and SMC benefits at the housebound rate due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities required him to be in need of regular aid and attendance, leading to the grant of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance (A&A) from February 7, 2018.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy due to a disagreement over whether the Veteran's prostate cancer aggravated his service-connected peripheral neuropathy. The case is being sent back for a new medical opinion that uses the correct standard from Ward v. Wilkie.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for diabetes mellitus and neuropathy with voiding dysfunction was denied. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 40 percent, while his neuropathy with voiding dysfunction met the criteria for a 60 percent rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted service connection. The right eye condition, bilateral upper and lower extremity neuropathy are all remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depressive disorders, is granted. The Board finds the VA examiner's opinions along with Dr. A.A.'s positive nexus opinion persuasive in granting service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The issues of entitlement to a higher rating for right knee strain, as well as service connection for lower back condition, cervical arthritis with spondylotic changes, and left arm neuropathy are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy should be remanded due to incomplete review of the evidence.

The Veteran's hypertension, atrial fibrillation and chronic diastolic heart failure, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are granted as service-connected due to herbicide agent exposure under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of the appeal by his representative.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for DDD of the thoracolumbar spine and peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerve are being remanded due to insufficient examination findings. The case will be returned for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to the need to obtain VA treatment records and a copy of the January 2021 VA contract examination report.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities due to exposure to herbicides, specifically Agent Orange. The Veteran's anxiety disorder claims have been withdrawn by the appellant.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) due to being housebound was denied because he does not meet the criteria for SMC Housebound, as his disabilities do not satisfy the requirements of a single 100% service-connected disability and additional disabilities independently ratable at 60% or more.

The Board has withdrawn the Veteran's appeals for service connection of various hand disabilities and neuropathy. The remaining claims are remanded due to a lack of complete service medical records and exposure information.

The Board has remanded the issues of effective dates prior to June 7, 2004 for service connection and entitlement to TDIU due to the appellant's service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims of service connection for various types of peripheral neuropathy and ischemic heart disease due to his death.