Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected diabetic retinopathy, right and left lower extremity neuropathies, and hypertension have been rated. The initial rating for diabetic retinopathy has been granted from May 24, 2013 to August 25, 2015 at a 10% level, increased to 30% from August 26, 2015 to January 23, 2019, and to 100% thereafter. The initial ratings for right and left lower extremity neuropathies have been granted at 40% since April 28, 2011. Service connection for hypertension has not been established.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unemployable, and the Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus type II, vision loss, hypertension, kidney/renal disorder, heart disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD). However, these claims are being remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and other development that may be needed.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's employment and income, which is crucial for determining his eligibility for TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities have been reopened. Service connection is granted for diabetes mellitus, type II, as due to herbicide exposure. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for clarification of his employment history and an evaluation of his service-connected disabilities' impact on his ability to work.

The Board has granted service connection for left eye optic neuropathy and denied service connection for residuals of a stent placement for a peripheral vascular deficiency. The appeal regarding the right upper extremity condition is remanded, as well as the appeal regarding the left upper extremity condition.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, diabetic heart disease, unspecified depressive disorder, abdomen scar, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity have been granted service connection. The effective dates for these awards are December 13, 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly those related to diabetes and stroke, necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance. The Board has granted SMC based on this need.

The Board has found that new evidence supports a remand for the claims of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, to include as secondary to herbicide agent exposure. The Veteran's contention is that his peripheral neuropathy is related to his conceded exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been granted, with the effective dates being determined based on when his claims were received. The TDIU claim has also been granted.

The Veteran's right upper extremity neuropathy was restored to a 40% rating, effective September 9, 2019.,The Veteran's left upper extremity neuropathy was restored to a 30% rating, effective September 9, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was denied. The Board found the level of impairment to be most analogous to mild incomplete paralysis. The Veteran's sleep apnea claim is remanded due to failure to obtain relevant service treatment records and VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right knee arthritis, left shoulder arthritis, and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, were denied as the evidence did not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to his active duty service. The claim for diabetes was withdrawn by the Veteran's representative.

The Veteran's sciatic neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities associated with pes planus is being remanded for additional development. The TDIU issue is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the issues on appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for cervical neuropathy, associated with TMD due to inadequate examination reports and failure to address flare-ups.

A 20 percent rating is granted for peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity from January 6, 2014 to November 8, 2019.,A 20 percent rating is granted for peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity from January 6, 2014 to November 8, 2019. The claim for increased evaluation for peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity, initially rated at 20 percent from January 6, 2014 onwards is denied.,A 30 percent rating is granted for peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity from November 9, 2019 onwards.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical opinions. The Veteran's service connection claims are being returned to VA for these purposes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to new evidence received since the last statement of the case. The issues include service connection for various conditions, including coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, all presumed to be related to herbicide exposure.