Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for subnormal vision, essential tremors, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to Agent Orange exposure.,There is no evidence of any eye or neurological condition during active service. The Veteran's current conditions were not diagnosed until years after separation.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and associated diabetic neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are currently rated at 40 percent each, effective August 13, 2014.,A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted as of August 13, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for increased ratings for PTSD and diabetic neuropathy, as well as an award of SMC at the housebound rate are denied.,An effective date prior to December 14, 2015 is not warranted for a 100% evaluation for PTSD. The Veteran did not have an active claim or appeal pending for an increased rating for PTSD on this date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep disturbances, peripheral neuropathy of right lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of left lower extremity were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability or causation to active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or housebound benefits due to his inability to perform self-care activities.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to May 31, 2016 was denied due to the combined rating of his service-connected disabilities not meeting the schedular requirements. The Board has now remanded this issue to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining in-patient records from a hospitalization during service, arranging for examinations by appropriate clinicians to determine the likely etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disability, peripheral neuropathy, and hypertension, and addressing the theory of secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for right hip disability, left hip disability, peripheral neuropathy, Parkinson’s disease, cervical degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, and other conditions. The VA is instructed to obtain the Veteran's SSA records.

The case is being remanded for further development, including determining if the Veteran has a dominant hand and whether his left wrist disability should be rated as a minor upper extremity disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, as carpal tunnel syndrome. The VA will need to obtain additional medical opinions regarding whether these conditions are related to service-connected disabilities or not.

The Board denied increased ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating from September 28, 2012 to November 20, 2019. From November 21, 2019, the Board found moderately severe incomplete paralysis and denied ratings in excess of 40 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board found that the Veteran has current obstructive sleep apnea, but there is no causal relationship between his current condition and service-connected conditions or service.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus was denied as there is no evidence linking the Veteran's current diabetes to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and TDIU have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the combined effect of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his employment, specifically as a production worker in an automotive vehicle engine plant from February 2006 to February 2017.

The Veteran's diabetes is currently rated at 20 percent, but no higher.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity and right upper extremity are both rated at 20 percent each.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity and right lower extremity are both rated at 10 percent each.,The Veteran's diabetic nephropathy is currently rated at 60 percent.

Effective September 2, 2014, the Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on loss of use of both feet due to service-connected conditions including diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, and vascular disease.

The Veteran's glaucoma and neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities are service-connected.,The Veteran's hypertension, sinusitis, ischemic heart disease, and chloracne are not service-connected.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for back and neck disabilities, as well as for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity and left lower extremity. The Veteran is also being asked to provide any additional pertinent evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is granted with increased ratings, effective November 9, 2017.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of his right shoulder disability, as well as his claim for TDIU due to the need for further examination and evaluation.