Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right foot neuropathy, left leg peripheral neuropathy, and left foot peripheral neuropathy due to potential Agent Orange exposure during his Vietnam service. The Veteran is invited to submit any private treatment records related to diabetes mellitus and toxic exposure risk activities.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is now at 100%, making the TDIU claim moot as he already has a single service-connected condition rated at 100%.

The Board has dismissed the neck and back condition claims, and has remanded the left upper extremity radiculopathy claim. The right upper extremity radiculopathy claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence from the USPS OIG regarding a prior investigation into compensation benefits fraud.

The Board has granted service connection for right ankle arthritis and instability, finding that the Veteran's preexisting right ankle disability was aggravated by service. However, the Board denied service connection for a right foot disability, concluding that it is not related to his now service-connected right ankle condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's TDIU claims, including a schedular TDIU from August 10, 2022 and an extraschedular TDIU prior to that date. The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for TDIU consideration from August 10, 2022 but not prior to that date.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for higher SMC based on need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities, as the evidence did not show he was bedridden or in need of regular aid and assistance.

The Board has restored the Veteran's prior 20% ratings for right and left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, effective January 6, 2020.

The Veteran's claimed cervical spine disability, cervicogenic headaches, and neuropathy of the lower extremities are not service-connected as they are not related to his military service or a pre-existing condition aggravated by service. The Board is bound by the RO's favorable finding that the Veteran served as a dental specialist with a moderate probability of acoustic trauma.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between his conditions and service, as well as potential additional disabilities caused by VA treatment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for diabetic peripheral neuropathy, right and left lower extremities, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The issues are being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for coronary artery disease and peripheral neuropathy of both upper extremities due to his death.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and its related peripheral neuropathy of all four extremities due to potential exposure to herbicide agents during service. The AOJ is instructed to obtain a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, including whether it was caused by his duties as a necropsy technician, mortician, or embalmer in Guam.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence. The appeals are not about a rating decision, but rather about whether the Veteran should be granted new and material evidence to reopen their previously denied claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence indicating current TBI, headaches, chest pain, right shoulder condition, and peripheral neuropathy of multiple extremities. The issues will be addressed with additional VA examinations.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for disability residual to a VA referral for left arm surgery, finding that the Veteran does not have additional disability due to the surgery.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, finding that there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or a nexus to his current disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for right greater auricular neuropathy and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher disability rating than 50 percent.

The appeal for service connection for left upper extremity diabetic neuropathy is dismissed. The appeal for an initial rating higher than 50 percent for PTSD with TBI prior to June 10, 2019, is remanded.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance beginning February 10, 2018.