Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's prostate cancer, ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, and bilateral peripheral neuropathy were denied service connection as they are not related to his active military service.,Service connection for the Veteran's prostate cancer was reopened due to new evidence provided.

The Veteran's varicose veins of the right and left lower extremities are rated at 40 percent each, which is the maximum rating under the current schedular criteria.,For his psoriasis with pustular component and folliculitis (skin condition), a disability rating in excess of 10 percent prior to December 19, 2017 was denied. From December 19, 2017, he is granted a disability rating of 30 percent or higher.,For his right upper extremity neuropathy, a disability rating in excess of 10 percent prior to December 19, 2017 was denied. From December 19, 2017 to June 11, 2021, he is granted a disability rating of 30 percent or higher.,For his left upper extremity neuropathy, a disability rating in excess of 10 percent prior to December 19, 2017 was denied. From December 19, 2017 to June 11, 2021, he is granted a disability rating of 20 percent or higher.,For his right upper extremity neuropathy from June 11, 2021, he is granted a disability rating of 40 percent or higher. For his left upper extremity neuropathy from June 11, 2021, he is granted a disability rating of 30 percent or higher.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity and a rating in excess of 10 percent for type II diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for residuals of a back scar, a rating in excess of 20 percent for IVDS, and service connection for LUE PN have been denied.,Additional development is needed to address the severity of LLE radiculopathy and the etiology of sleep apnea secondary to a deviated septum.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for higher disability ratings for diabetic neuropathy and diabetic related carpal tunnel syndrome of the upper extremities, as well as bilateral diabetic retinopathy, have been denied.,No compensable rating has been assigned for the Veteran's bilateral diabetic retinopathy.

The Veteran's diabetes and related complications, including peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, are granted with increased ratings. Service connection for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU), Dependents' Educational Assistance, and Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) based on loss of use of a creative organ is also granted.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service-connected due to in-service herbicide agent exposure. The issues of service connection for neurological impairment, kidney condition/urinary tract disability, and bilateral eye disability are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for colon cancer, hypertension, spinal cancer tumor, sleep apnea, blood clots in the legs, deep vein thrombosis of the left lower extremity, lung disorder, stroke residuals, neuropathy, cardiac disorder, kidney disorder, and a left leg disorder due to exposure to herbicide agents during service. The remand also includes the issue of a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, and peripheral neuropathy have been denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA's disability evaluation guidelines.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, anxiety disorder, type II diabetes mellitus with retinopathy, tinnitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and bilateral hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Board has denied a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss and has remanded the remaining claims of service connection for various disabilities. The Veteran is required to provide updated VA records, as well as obtain relevant Federal records from USPS and OPM.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause the need for regular aid and attendance, resulting in SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance being granted. The issue of a separate compensable rating for a sleep disorder is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence submitted by the Veteran, but the issues remain unresolved as they are related to exposure during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed heart disorder, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are not service-connected as they did not manifest during his active duty or within one year post-service. The Veteran was never found to have been in Vietnam for purposes of herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical opinions and seeking outstanding VA and private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to presumed herbicide exposure, as there is a pre-decisional duty to assist error in the August 2019 VA opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to duty-to-assist errors in obtaining medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II and his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy are found to be the proximate cause of his bilateral hand tremors. He is also granted SMC based on need for aid and attendance due to multiple service-connected disabilities.