Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to conflicting medical opinions and incomplete treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied.,A separate disability rating of 10 percent, but no higher, has been granted for right lower extremity femoral nerve peripheral neuropathy prior to June 29, 2021.

The Board has granted service connection for asthma as secondary to a service-connected psychiatric disorder. Service connection for left carpal tunnel syndrome and right carpal tunnel syndrome is denied, with the latter issue remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his claims of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity and hypertension.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for TBI, headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD) due to unresolved factual questions regarding the Veteran's reported in-service events.

The Veteran's IBS is rated at its maximum of 30 percent. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities is granted as it is related to his service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral lower extremity neuropathy disabilities are being remanded due to the need for a new examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy and his in-service herbicide exposure. The case is returned for further development.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral foot, finding that there was no evidence to support exposure to herbicide agents during service in Thailand or over Vietnam. The Veteran's MOS as a Chief Clerk did not place him near the base perimeter where herbicide exposure would have occurred.

The Board has remanded the claims of right leg venous stasis/insufficiency, right foot condition with ankle problems, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to inadequate notification for VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, hyperglycemia (diabetes mellitus type 2), hyperlipidemia, diabetic amyotrophy, and a skin condition are all denied. The Veteran's bilateral inguinal hernia claim is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral median nerve neuropathy, left ear disorder, genitourinary disorder, and digestive and/or gastrointestinal disorder due to lack of medical opinions addressing the etiology of these conditions. The Veteran is advised that he may need to undergo VA examinations to provide this information.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral feet, OSA, supraventricular arrhythmia, diabetes mellitus type II with ED, PTSD, Barrett's esophagus with GERD, upper extremity tremors, and hypertension, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating prior to January 29, 2018, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter for hypogeusia is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected hypothyroidism is denied as the evidence does not support a higher 30-percent rating under either the previous or amended rating criteria for endocrine disorders.,The Veteran's claims for ratings in excess of 10 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities are denied.,TDIU claim since June 7, 2019 is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for increased ratings for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy prior to the Board's decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to October 25, 2017 for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU), finding that no earlier effective date is warranted due to lack of a formal or informal claim within one year before the July 18, 2016 intent to file a claim. The Board also found no CUE in the assignment of an October 25, 2017 effective date for TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment since June 1, 2021. The Board granted a TDIU based on the combined effect of all his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grants of special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance, loss of use of the feet, and a 100 percent rating for bilateral lower extremity disabilities have been denied. The earliest possible effective date is August 30, 2021.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to April 10, 2018, for the award of special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance. The decision found that no formal or informal claim was filed within one year before the receipt of his claim on April 20, 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, CAD, DM II, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower legs, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has determined that his TDIU claim is granted.