Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities have been granted, with effective dates prior to June 23, 2021, and effective from June 23, 2021, respectively.,A separate rating of 40 percent has also been assigned for each lower extremity since June 23, 2021.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes, neuropathy, psoriatic arthritis, anxiety, right shoulder condition, and sleep apnea due to duty-to-assist errors. The RO is instructed to obtain a VA examination and medical opinion regarding possible exposure to chemicals during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right eye condition, ischemic optic neuropathy, is related to his service-connected hypertension and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates prior to August 10, 2022, for service connection were denied as there was no legal basis available due to the finality of previous denials and the liberalizing nature of the PACT Act.

The Veteran's service-connected type II diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 40 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating due to lack of episodes of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions requiring hospitalizations.,Both lower extremity neuropathies are currently rated at 10 percent each. The Veteran's right and left femoral nerves have mild incomplete paralysis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities have been denied. The RO granted initial ratings in certain cases, but denied others.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetic peripheral neuropathy and prostate cancer, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since August 1, 2018. The Board has granted entitlement to TDIU from that date.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the claim for service connection for a right great toe disability. The issues of service connection for lower back disability, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, asbestosis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and traumatic brain injury (TBI) are also being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran is already receiving the maximum schedular rating for meralgia paresthetica of the right thigh, and her left upper and lower extremity disabilities are not related to her military service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted.,Service connection has been established for major depressive disorder, headaches secondary to back impairment and major depressive disorder, and sleep apnea secondary to back impairment and major depressive disorder.

The Board has remanded several issues related to peripheral neuropathy and radiculopathy, including the need for additional medical records and clarification of treatment received at Instituto Terapia Fisica (ITF). The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is also referred for a new examination.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions, finding that there was no evidence of herbicide exposure during service and thus no basis to grant any of the claims.

The Veteran's PTSD, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and skin condition are all rated based on their severity. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for any of these conditions.,Diabetes is also rated based on its severity, with no entitlement to a higher rating.

The Veteran's claimed bilateral shoulder, neck, left arm, left finger, and back disorders were not incurred in or caused by service. The disorders were not aggravated by, proximately due to or the result of service-connected disabilities.

The Board previously granted an earlier effective date of September 1, 2016 for the service-connected diabetic neuropathy in the right lower extremity and remanded it to the AOJ. The AOJ assigned a 10 percent disability rating from October 27, 2016 but did not rate it from September 1, 2016. The appeal is being remanded again due to non-compliance with previous directives.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral peripheral neuropathy, and hepatitis C to include liver disease as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus type II due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings of peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities is granted, with a 20 percent rating effective May 22, 2014. The Board has also remanded his claim for service connection for a right hip disability due to secondary service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for right upper extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. Service connection was granted for a disorder manifested by diffuse muscle and joint pain.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment from March 2016 to November 24, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional records and development. The Board acknowledges that some of his conditions may be related to in-service exposures, but further examination is needed.