Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's cataracts are secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,ED is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, but there is an approximate balance of evidence regarding whether it was aggravated by the diabetes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives, including verifying exposure to hazardous chemicals and radiation during service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The decision did not address the issue of OSA, as it was not raised in his claims.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of peripheral neuropathy were denied.,The Veteran's claims for initial ratings greater than the currently assigned percentages for various disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and residuals of multiple basal cell carcinomas, were remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, neuropathy of the lower extremities, diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration, and heart disability due to potential new evidence received since previous decisions.

The Veteran's left knee and left hip degenerative arthritis are granted as they resulted from trauma in service.,Service connection for right lower extremity neuropathy, including as secondary to exposure to herbicide agents is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The decision also noted that some of the issues are related to a service-connected lumbar spine disorder, but these secondary claims have not been granted.

The Board has found that there was not substantial compliance with the January 2020 remand order and thus, the claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain a new VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's secondary disabilities were aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's conditions and cause of death. A VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service, specifically his exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation from July 25, 2017, to March 7, 2018.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and related neuropathy of the lower extremities as secondary to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran seeks service connection on a secondary basis due to his pre-existing service-connected left knee and ankle injuries.

The Veteran's fracture of the L3 transverse process is rated at 20 percent. Service connection for other conditions, including a separate lumbosacral spine disability and peripheral vascular disabilities, are denied. Other service-connected issues remain pending.

The Board has dismissed the claim for an earlier effective date for bilateral upper extremities neuropathy. The hypertension claim is remanded due to new evidence and need for a new opinion.

The Board denied a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities not preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, scheduling a VA examination to assess occupational impairment due to service-connected disabilities, and clarifying the relevance of the Veteran's participation on a tribal council. The TDIU issue is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the rating assigned for the Veteran’s service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee meniscus tear status post total knee arthroplasty. The claims for left and right leg disabilities are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence submitted by his attorney and additional VA treatment records. The claims are being reviewed to determine if there is a link between the Veteran's current conditions and active service, or other relevant factors.

The Veteran's right upper extremity diabetic neuropathy was granted a disability rating of 70 percent effective September 12, 2019.,The Veteran's left upper extremity diabetic neuropathy was granted a disability rating of 60 percent effective September 12, 2019.,Service connection for diabetic nephropathy was granted with an effective date of July 29, 2016.,SMC based on loss of use of both hands was granted with an effective date of July 29, 2016.,SMC based on need of regular aid and attendance due to loss of use of both hands was granted.