Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred in service due to herbicide exposure. Bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and left shoulder disorder are also presumed to be related to his service-connected diabetes.,Service connection for Merkel cell carcinoma and kidney disorder secondary to type II diabetes mellitus remains pending as the Veteran has not provided sufficient evidence or information for a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery bypass graft times 2, ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type II, with erectile dysfunction due to presumed exposure to herbicides. Service connection was also granted for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity (claimed as left leg condition) and left ulnar neuropathy (claimed as left elbow condition).

The Board has granted service connection for neurobehavioral effects, including polyneuropathy, memory loss, and dizziness. The issue of entitlement to service connection for COPD is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent for the period from July 29, 2014 to October 4, 2018 and denied a higher rating.,The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent beginning October 4, 2018 and denied a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a back condition, neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, a right knee condition, and residuals of a head injury are remanded.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with his service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy at the time of prior VA examinations and DBQs.

The Board granted service connection for hypertension and denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities (PN BUE, PN BLE) as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II. The Veteran's hypertension was found to be aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, while there is no evidence of current diagnoses or symptoms of PN BUE or PN BLE.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 40 percent, but no higher. The initial ratings for peripheral neuropathy in the right and left lower extremities are denied.

The Board has granted initial ratings of 20 percent for each lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, effective April 17, 2017. The right and left upper extremities were denied higher ratings.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for service connection and compensation awards, finding that no formal claim was filed within one year of his initial intent to file. The earliest effective date assigned is May 4, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of transient ischemic attack (stroke-TIA) and hypertension are being remanded. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to the interrelated nature with other pending issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and need for further investigation regarding the Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral lower extremity disability, including idiopathic peripheral neuropathy, claimed as the result of an undiagnosed illness and/or herbicide agent exposure. The Veteran served aboard the USS Blue Ridge in Vietnam.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ulnar nerve neuropathy, including as secondary to his service-connected right finger laceration residuals. The evidence did not support a finding of direct or secondary service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in a loss of use of any extremity, and he is not service connected for a severe burn injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, an eye disability, or an inhalation injury. Therefore, the criteria for specially adapted housing or special home adaptation are not met.

The Veteran's claim for SMC-AA was granted from December 12, 2008, and no earlier. The effective date is based on the VA examination showing that the Veteran required regular aid and attendance of another person.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicides during service, which is necessary for determining his claims of service connection for cardiovascular disorder and peripheral neuropathy. The claims are also inextricably intertwined with those for right and left foot disorders.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is rated at 20 percent since May 1, 2019. The Board also granted TDIU based on the combined effects of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease was reduced from 60% to 10%, effective January 1, 2012. The reduction is denied as the evidence did not show actual improvement in his ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for right and left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy prior to December 19, 2017, and a rating of 60 percent thereafter.