Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lower back disorder is related to his service-connected bilateral foot and lower extremity disorders, resulting in a change in gait.,The Board has also determined that the Veteran's right sciatic radiculopathy is related to his service-connected bilateral foot and lower extremity disorders, resulting in a change in gait.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left hands, finding no current diagnosis in either hand.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including new VA examinations and consideration of a TDIU claim. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have increased in severity.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities and granted a separate 10 percent evaluation for instability of the right knee. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for limitation of motion of the right knee was denied, but a TDIU for the period beginning January 1, 2007, was granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, finding that there is no current diagnosis and no causal relationship to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for the cause of his death, finding that his brain herniation was not related to service. The Board also found that his Charcot-Marie Tooth disease was not related to service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, and his peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity is currently rated at 20 percent. Both conditions are denied for increased ratings.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to October 3, 2019 is dismissed because the claim was made as a freestanding request and there were no pending claims for which TDIU could have been part and parcel. The Veteran has already been granted TDIU effective from October 3, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various peripheral neuropathy disabilities, including those affecting the upper and lower extremities, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings based on the severity of the service-connected conditions.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for diabetes, but has remanded it due to potential herbicide exposure in Thailand. The issues of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities are also remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the diabetes issue.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA Form 21-8940 and medical records. The Veteran has multiple service-connected conditions that may impact his employment.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of bilateral hearing loss has been granted, effective August 14, 2018.,Service connection for ischemic heart disease is granted based on new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted his TDIU claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for separate ratings for neurologic abnormalities associated with his service-connected cervical and thoracic spine disabilities, finding that there are no neurological abnormalities associated with these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance because there was no evidence that his service-connected disabilities rendered him bedridden or helpless to the extent he needed regular assistance.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including skin disorders, prostate cancer, cardiac disorder, diabetes mellitus, and foot disorders. The remand requires verification of exposure to pesticides or insecticides, such as DDT and Lindane, during service in Korea.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for polyneuropathy, to include peripheral neuropathy, of the bilateral feet was dismissed due to his death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected left trigeminal neuropathy and denied his claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The evidence showed that the Veteran had mild to moderate incomplete paralysis of the fifth cranial nerve, but did not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has dismissed all issues on appeal except for the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death.,The appellant withdrew her appeals regarding bilateral great toe and ankle disabilities, right lower extremity neuropathy, left lower extremity neuropathy, arterial reconstruction of the left lower extremity, and depression.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including hypertension and erectile dysfunction, are granted. The TDIU claim is also granted.