Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has decided that SMC due to the need for Aid and Attendance is granted. The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD, depressive disorder, and vascular neurocognitive disorder) is remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted service connection. The Veteran's type two diabetes mellitus, bilateral open angle glaucoma, and tinnitus are not granted increased ratings. The Veteran's sinusitis, tonsillectomy residuals, right wrist Dequervain's syndrome, right ring finger fracture, erectile dysfunction, and right epididymitis status post epididymectomy do not warrant increased ratings. A TDIU is granted from October 1, 2007 to February 28, 2013, and from January 22, 2018 on.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that a TDIU is not warranted.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, Type II, is granted as presumptively related to herbicide exposure. His peripheral neuropathy affecting the bilateral feet is also granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The claims for increased ratings of right and left leg lumbar radiculopathy are denied.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of all four limbs due to exposure to herbicide agents as his death during the appeal process made it impossible to proceed with the merits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left upper, right upper, left lower, and right lower extremity neuropathy as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated his right ankle disability and left leg neuropathy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) prior to April 13, 2009 due to insufficient evidence showing he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus type II (DM II) due to herbicide exposure is granted. The claims for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, as well as erectile dysfunction, are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left lower extremity neuropathy, left upper extremity neuropathy, right lower extremity neuropathy, and right upper extremity neuropathy have been denied as the evidence does not support a causal link to active service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are rated at 60 percent, the highest schedular rating available for voiding dysfunction.,The Veteran is not found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. The claims for earlier effective dates for PTSD, GERD, and sleep apnea are denied. The claim for a 30% initial rating for GERD is granted. The claim for a higher initial rating than 50% for obstructive sleep apnea is denied. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities is granted.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is rated at 40% since December 27, 2017. His peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity remains rated at 20%. The rating for radiculopathy has been granted, but the rating for peripheral neuropathy has not.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy, specifically whether it is related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine his eligibility for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for left leg sciatica, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, service connection for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and service connection for right leg sciatica due to unclear findings from a previous VA examination. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other claims.

The Veteran's claim for a separate compensable rating for a bilateral ankle orthopedic disability is denied as he does not have an independent ankle disability, and his tarsal tunnel syndrome and peripheral neuropathy are already service-connected.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective October 10, 2013. The Veteran seeks an increased rating.,For the period prior to June 6, 2016, the Veteran’s service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, as well as increased ratings for PTSD and DM. The Veteran's prostate cancer was awarded a 100% rating effective June 27, 2016.