Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the medical evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and neuropathy of the lower extremities are granted service connection. Service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae is denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding increased initial rating for bilateral hearing loss and whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim of service connection for right upper extremity neuropathy. The Veteran's claims for service connection for brain cancer and lung cancer are remanded due to procedural errors.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities meet the schedular percentage criteria for a TDIU, and his age and prior employment as a letter carrier prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran meets the requirements for SMC at the housebound rate due to his service-connected disabilities, including post-traumatic stress disorder and multiple peripheral neuropathies. The Board finds in favor of the Veteran's claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than June 19, 2019 for service connection and separate ratings for neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities. The exception to the general rule allowed the effective dates to be extended back to June 19, 2019.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is rated at 40 percent, but no higher. Service connection for diabetic retinopathy has been granted.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a rating greater than 40 percent.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a rating greater than 30 percent.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a rating greater than 20 percent.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a rating greater than 20 percent.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity is granted, but no higher.

The Board denied service connection for diabetic neuropathy of the left and right upper extremities as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type 2 due to a lack of current disability evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy resulted in mild intermittent pain and mild paresthesias, which the Board found to be best characterized as mild incomplete paralysis. The appeal for increased ratings was denied.

The Veteran's bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy and right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy were granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. However, the Veteran was denied higher ratings for his right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy and a compensable rating for his right ear hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, finding that it is related to in-service herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neuropathy of the bilateral feet and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD, depressive disorder and anxiety disorder) due to incomplete opinions regarding service connection.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is granted as service connected based on presumed exposure to an herbicide agent in the Republic of Vietnam. The Board has also remanded for further examination and opinion regarding hypertension, eye disability (claimed as loss of visual acuity), and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities.

The Veteran's right median neuropathy is currently rated at 50 percent, effective April 19, 2010. The Board has found that a higher rating is not warranted and the case is remanded for further action regarding TDIU.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, entitlement to TDIU benefits, and SMC on and after May 1, 2010. These matters will be reconsidered with consideration given to all pertinent evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has granted service connection for headaches. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, alone or the combined effects of all service-connected conditions, do not render him unemployable for the period prior to March 31, 2017. The Board finds that TDIU is not warranted in this case.

The Veteran's right lower extremity neuropathy was granted an effective date of May 17, 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone are not of such nature and severity as to have prevented him from securing or following any substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of VA examination and updated treatment records. The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is based on presumed exposure to herbicides during service.