Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II (DMII) and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities on a secondary basis to DMII. Service connection is denied for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses of idiopathic neuropathy are etiologically related to herbicide agent exposure during service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is granted a 40 percent rating as of August 22, 2017. The remaining issues are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for SMC at the housebound rate prior to November 27, 2013 was denied because he did not have a single service-connected disability rated as 100 percent before that date.

The Board has restored service connection for right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy and denied the severance of service connection due to pyramiding under 38 C.F.R. § 4.14, finding that it was improper.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, ulnar neuropathy across the elbow, lower extremity sensory neuropathy, and hand disability (claimed as Dupuytren’s contracture) due to service-connected diabetes mellitus. The AOJ is instructed to obtain private treatment records from Dr. Christopher Iacobelli and request an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of these disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment as of February 29, 2020. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether his service-connected disabilities alone are of sufficient severity to produce unemployability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral lower extremity and upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, as well as a bilateral foot condition (excluding peripheral neuropathy), finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions. The Board also found that any current disabilities are not related to military service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of a 40 percent initial rating for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is denied as no earlier date can be assigned due to the effective date already being set at February 16, 2016.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU from December 1, 2005 to November 30, 2011. The Board also remanded the issue of entitlement to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to December 1, 2005.,The case is again before the Board for appellate consideration after being referred to the Director of Compensation Service for adjudication.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for PTSD, type II diabetes mellitus, neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, erectile dysfunction, and sleep apnea due to new evidence indicating potential exposure to herbicides. The Veteran's statements regarding his stressors need to be verified, and a statement of the case should be issued on these issues.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and military service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and benefits were denied. The right lower extremity below the knee amputation is rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum available under Diagnostic Code 5165.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for his stump scar was also denied.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was not caused by or made worse by VA treatment, and the Board found insufficient evidence to support a claim under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Board previously denied service connection for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct a new examination.

The Veteran's service connection claims for type 2 diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy as secondary to type 2 diabetes mellitus have been granted. The claim for hypertension is remanded due to the need for a medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam. The appellant is still entitled to consider presumptive service connection if further development confirms exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since June 28, 2005. TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's progressive peripheral polyneuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is found to be related to his exposure to herbicide agents, specifically Agent Orange, during service. The Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity neurological disabilities, as these were not adequately addressed in the previous decision. The Veteran's claims are currently pending.