Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and lumbar strain with intervertebral disc syndrome, have prevented him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral legs and feet, finding no current diagnoses or evidence linking these conditions to his military service, including exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has found that new and material evidence has been submitted to support his claims of lumbar back disability secondary to leg disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The claim for GERD is also granted.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), lumbar back disability secondary to leg disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder are all granted.

The Board dismissed all claims for increased ratings and denied service connection for dental trauma. The Veteran's major depressive disorder was granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities, leading to a TDIU determination.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer and its residuals, erectile dysfunction, and Parkinson’s disease due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The issues of service connection for bilateral upper extremity and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of his upper and lower extremities due to a lack of medical opinion regarding herbicide exposure. The AOJ is instructed to obtain VA treatment records from prior to 2008, request private treatment records from Kaiser Permanente, and schedule an examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's condition.

The Veteran's left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy is currently rated at 20 percent, representing moderate severity. The Board finds that the symptoms described do not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities required the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, leading to a grant of special monthly compensation at the aid and attendance rate.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for a left arm scar was denied as the evidence did not show any disabling effects not considered in a rating provided under Diagnostic Codes 7800-04.,Service connection for a left arm musculoskeletal disability, left arm neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were all denied. The Veteran's current diagnoses of these conditions are not related to service or herbicide agent exposure.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left arm scar was denied as the evidence did not show any disabling effects not considered in a rating provided under Diagnostic Codes 7800-04.,Service connection for left arm neuropathy and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were both denied. The Veteran's current diagnoses of these conditions are not related to service or herbicide agent exposure.,Service connection for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was denied as the evidence did not show any disabling effects not considered in a rating provided under Diagnostic Codes 7800-04.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, finding that it is directly related to a back injury sustained during service.

The Veteran's claims for ischemic cardiomyopathy, bilateral eye disabilities, chronic renal disease, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are being remanded due to inadequate development.,Specifically, additional medical opinions are needed regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine disability, migraines, and peripheral neuropathy of both hands and feet due to incomplete records and unclear etiology.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, migraines, PTSD, and bilateral hearing loss have been denied as the evidence does not establish a direct link to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy in all four extremities, as due to herbicide agent exposure. The decision is pending and more information from VA treatment records is needed.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type I was granted service connection. The remaining issues of secondary service connection for various complications are remanded.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity neuropathy, peroneal nerve due to lack of timely filing of a substantive appeal.,The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for status post fracture of the right ankle as his disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation. The RO was directed to schedule a VA examination, but the Veteran failed to attend and no rescheduling request has been received.,The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities as he did not meet the percentage standards set forth in 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a).

The Veteran's sensory polyneuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, COPD, and hypertension are being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding their relationship to in-service herbicide exposure. The service connection for PTSD is also being remanded with regard to these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities has been denied increased ratings in excess of 20 percent for the period prior to April 4, 2019, and in excess of 40 percent from April 4, 2019 through the present.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of renal insufficiency is denied. The claim for a higher initial rating prior to January 16, 2014 and entitlement to TDIU prior to that date are also denied.

The Veteran's claim for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment is granted. The Veteran's claim for SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(k) for loss of use of the left foot prior to March 31, 2015 is denied.