Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is granted a 40% rating for the period prior to November 8, 2019. The ratings for peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities and TDIU are denied.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities because there is insufficient evidence regarding the current severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. Additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations, is required.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy, and kidney failure as secondary to diabetes mellitus. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy and burning and tingling sensations in the feet has been denied. The Board found no current disability, and there is conflicting evidence regarding whether these symptoms are related to Agent Orange exposure or a spinal condition.

The Board has denied earlier effective dates for various service connection claims, and has remanded the issues of service connection for trigger finger of the right middle finger and right ring fingers.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted.,Effective May 24, 2017, the Veteran is now entitled to service connection for various conditions including Parkinson’s disease with weakness of the left lower extremity, right knee strain, instability and subluxation, loss of sense of smell, constipation, and other related issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right upper extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, bilateral knee disabilities, lumbar spine disability, bilateral foot condition (toe condition), bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, headaches, left leg laceration, LUE peripheral neuropathy, and DMII have been denied.,No new evidence has been provided to support the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for neuropathy of the RIGHT and LEFT lower extremities as secondary to service-connected bilateral ankle and bilateral foot disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance, thus his claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and effective dates have been denied. The Board found that the earliest date of receipt of a claim was August 30, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU at any time during the appeal period as his adverse symptomatology is both contemplated and considered by the rating criteria.

The Veteran's left foot wound or ulcer is granted service connection as it is aggravated by his service-connected diabetes. The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and CAD are not rated higher than the current assigned ratings.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a clinician regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disability and left arm peripheral neuropathy. The examiner must opine whether these conditions are related to service or secondary to service-connected left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating, service connection for left shoulder disability, neuropathy of the left upper extremity (ulnar), back disability, and neck disability are all remanded due to new evidence received since the last denial. The Veteran is also granted to reopen his claims for service connection for left shoulder disability, left ulnar nerve disability, and back disability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his left foot shrapnel injury, including residuals of pain, osteoarthritis, and neuropathy, is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for Type II Diabetes Mellitus and Peripheral Neuropathy of the lower extremities was denied. The rating for Type II Diabetes Mellitus remains at 20% since December 2006, but a separate 10% rating is granted for Peripheral Neuropathy of the lower extremities as of October 2007.

The Veteran's initial rating for obstructive sleep apnea is denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus rating is also denied since he has not experienced episodes of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions requiring hospitalization or visits to a diabetic care provider, and no complications are present that would be compensable if separately evaluated.,Service connection for GERD and Barrett's esophagus is remanded as the evidence does not clearly establish whether these conditions are proximately due to or aggravated by service-connected diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy ratings remain unchanged, with his claims for increased ratings being remanded.,TDIU prior to March 14, 2016 is also remanded as the evidence does not clearly establish whether this condition has rendered the Veteran unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities (polyneuropathy) is remanded due to a lack of updated private treatment records from his lifetime providers.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for radiculopathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities is remanded.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for erectile dysfunction, to include as secondary to service-connected disabilities, is remanded.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for a gastrointestinal disability, to include GERD, to include as secondary to service-connected disabilities, is remanded.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for depression and anxiety, to include as secondary to service-connected disabilities, is remanded.