Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, effective from the date of his death. The issue of entitlement to SMC on account of being housebound is considered moot due to the grant of the greater benefit.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his peripheral neuropathy, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and ischemic heart disease. The issues are related to exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Veteran's service connection claims for chronic kidney disease, diabetes, neuropathy in bilateral upper and lower extremities, Meniere's syndrome, and sleep apnea are all granted due to the presumption of exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange) during his Vietnam service. The Board found that these conditions were related to his Agent Orange exposure and hypertension.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and its associated peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities have been granted. The claims are based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during active duty in Korea.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of VA examination in connection with the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their impact on his eligibility for specially adapted housing or special home adaptation grant.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, including as secondary to diabetes mellitus. The claims for increased ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities have been remanded.

The Veteran's radiculopathy/neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is granted as secondary to his service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome with spinal stenosis. The issues of a higher rating for intervertebral disc syndrome and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding secondary service connection and aggravation of peripheral neuropathy by diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities. The TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with other claims for increased ratings, and thus must be addressed together.

The Veteran's need for aid and attendance is granted due to his service-connected disabilities, with the Board finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether it is solely due to these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher evaluation is not warranted.,For issues related to peripheral neuropathy and coronary artery disease, additional evidence is needed as they are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's skin condition, bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, heart disability, anemia, and peripheral neuropathy are all granted. The skin condition is due to herbicide exposure. Bilateral hearing loss is rated at 10 percent from July 18, 2011 through January 19, 2012, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter. Diabetes mellitus is rated at 10 percent prior to November 7, 2012, and 20 percent thereafter. The heart disability and anemia are secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and TDIU as a matter of law due to his failure to report for VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation in excess of 20 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, entitlement to TDIU, and entitlement to SMC based on aid and attendance or housebound status due to additional evidence being submitted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151, and TDIU were denied. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 was denied as the Veteran did not incur additional disability of the left upper extremity due to a November 2002 EMG.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of right foot injury due to a lack of an addendum medical opinion addressing whether any diagnosed right foot condition is related to his claimed in-service right foot condition.

The Board denied service connection for gout, peripheral vascular disease of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities as there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for aid and attendance of another person prior to December 20, 2019.

The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for SMC (l) and automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment benefits, as he does not have anatomical loss or use of both feet, one hand and one foot. The decision was based on the current evidence showing no functional impairment requiring aid and attendance.