Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed. The only remaining issues are the denial of service connection for painful joints and the granting of service connection for hypertension, back condition, left knee disability, bilateral hip disability, and finger disability.,The Veteran has current disabilities of diabetes mellitus, GERD, sleep apnea, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities. These conditions have been remanded to comply with the PACT Act requirements.

The Veteran is granted entitlement to SMC at the housebound rate from August 1, 2019, to October 7, 2021, based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities has been granted, with a disability rating of 20 percent effective January 28, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment since June 15, 2018. The Board has granted a TDIU effective that date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation based on housebound status and need for regular aid and attendance due to the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities. The evidence does not meet the criteria for SMC at the housebound rate.

The Board has granted effective dates of May 8, 2023 for the award of increased disability ratings for diabetic neuropathy affecting the bilateral upper and lower extremities.

The Veteran's service connection for HIV, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, migraine headaches, erectile dysfunction, and Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 was granted effective February 18, 2000.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hand neuropathy and left hand neuropathy, as well as her request for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for her lumbar spine disability. The evidence did not support a finding of current diagnoses or a causal relationship to military service.

The Veteran's diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity involving the sciatic nerve is rated at 40 percent, but no higher.,The Veteran's diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity involving the sciatic nerve is rated at 40 percent, but no higher.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left lower extremity neuropathy require additional development due to missing medical evidence, specifically an EMG from June 2023. The VA examinations also did not consider the ameliorative effects of medication on the severity of the disability.

The Veteran is granted a higher rate of special monthly compensation (SMC) at the rate under subsection (r)(1) based on his service-connected conditions and need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, considered as one disability, meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU since October 9, 2024. The Board found that his service-connected bilateral lower extremity diabetic neuropathy prevents him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

An effective date of February 10, 2004, but no earlier, for the award of service connection for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is granted.,An effective date of December 12, 2019, but no earlier, for the award of service connection for right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II (DMII) is granted.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus type II, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were denied as there was no new and relevant evidence to support the claims.,The Veteran's claim for left hip trochanteric pain syndrome with degenerative arthritis was granted. The Board found that the current disabilities are related to service due to hard landings during deployment in Vietnam.,The Veteran's claim for right knee degenerative arthritis was also granted. The Board found that the current disabilities are related to service due to hard landings and activities as a crew member during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been denied due to the lack of evidence showing current tinnitus.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been withdrawn and dismissed as per the Veteran's request.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD is granted, and he is awarded separate initial 10 percent ratings for left hand strain with painful index finger motion and long finger motion. The claims for other disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left wrist disability, right wrist disability, low back disability, vertigo, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are dismissed because the Veteran did not timely file a notice of disagreement. The claim for dental caps is denied as there is no current evidence of a dental disability.

The Veteran's TDIU claim from October 16, 2009 is granted.,The initial rating claims for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and spinal stenosis are dismissed as moot due to the grant of a TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for collapsed arch of the left foot and right foot disability (pes planus, peripheral neuropathy, hallux rigidus status post fusion of 1st MTP in right great toe) as directly related to active service.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity (posterior tibial nerve) is rated at 10 percent and denied an increased rating.,The Veteran's neuropathy of the right lower extremity (internal saphenous nerve) is rated at noncompensable and denied an initial compensable rating.,The Veteran's right foot contusion injury residuals are rated at 20 percent and granted a higher 40 percent rating.,The Veteran's COPD has not been increased to meet the criteria for a higher rating.