Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease, type II diabetes, diabetic neuropathy of the right foot, and diabetic neuropathy of the left foot. The conditions are presumed to be due to exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate compliance with prior directives and a need for additional medical opinions. The Veteran's claim of service connection for back disabilities is being reviewed again.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity diabetic peripheral polyneuropathy of the sciatic nerve is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing and following any substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance/housebound status due to her ability to perform many activities of daily living with assistance when needed.

Service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss is granted.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Service connection for a lost sense of smell is granted.,Service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity diabetic neuropathy is granted.,The Veteran's hypertension and renal cell carcinoma are remanded for further review.,The Veteran's renal cell carcinoma may be related to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the percentage rating standards for TDIU, and the Board finds that his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral upper extremity neurological impairment, including carpal tunnel syndrome and other neuropathies.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities has been granted increased ratings, with effective dates from December 20, 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and bilateral leg neuropathy due to potential verification issues regarding the Veteran's service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, left upper and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathies, as well as his left and right knee disabilities have been granted initial ratings. The TDIU has also been granted.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and compensation were dismissed due to the death of the claimant. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these appeals as the appellant is deceased.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, finding that the evidence did not support a causal relationship to the Veteran's military service, including his in-service exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has found the VA examinations inadequate for adjudicating this case and has ordered additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and determining if combat conditions apply. The Veteran's lay statements will be considered in assessing her claims.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations.,Before January 29, 2016, the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities did not meet the criteria for a higher than 10 percent rating. After this date, it did not meet the criteria for a higher than 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating prior to March 19, 2019 for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 20 percent beginning March 19, 2019 for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is denied.,The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for residuals, shrapnel wound, left shoulder region and upper arm area, right hip/thigh area, and right leg/ankle area are remanded.,The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right ulnar nerve peripheral neuropathy is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for right upper extremity chronic C6-C7 radiculopathy, left upper extremity chronic C6-C7 radulopathy, right arm carpal tunnel syndrome, left arm carpal tunnel syndrome, right arm ulnar neuropathy, and left arm ulnar neuropathy as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during service or were related to an in-service injury.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, finding that there is no current diagnosis or evidence of such condition during the pendency of his appeal.

The Board has added new evidence to the claims file and finds that it is relevant to the Veteran's service connection claims. The case is being remanded for readjudication based on this additional evidence.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, service connection for a cardiac disorder, skin disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The appeal is dismissed.