Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2009

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the claim can be adjudicated, including a clarification of the VA examiner's opinion regarding whether the Veteran has peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities and if so, whether it is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the appellant's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with appropriate VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes and its complications are denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his VA treatment records and further consideration.

The Board has denied the claim for secondary service connection for left upper extremity neuropathy, finding no current objective evidence of such a disability. The T/R issue remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him physically helpless in the performance of daily activities and in protecting himself from everyday hazards, warranting special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for radicular pain, left and right lower extremities, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, peripheral neuropathy in both upper extremities, and fibromyalgia. The TDIU claim is also denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if his bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration disability benefits information. A VA examination will be conducted to assess the current severity of PTSD. The issues of service connection for various disabilities are also inextricably intertwined with TDIU and must be addressed together.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment prior to January 29, 2009.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for various conditions, including arthritis of the right knee and lumbar spine, residuals of a left ankle sprain, arthritis of the right shoulder, body cramps, hepatitis C, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, hypertension, and coronary artery disease. The appeals were dismissed due to lack of evidence or insufficient material.

The Board finds that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his active military service, including exposure to herbicides. The preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that any current disability was incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including obesity, have rendered him unable to dress or undress himself, keep himself clean and presentable, feed himself without assistance, attend to his wants of nature, or protect himself from the hazards of his environment. He is therefore in need of regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining records from 'L&I' and Western State Mental Hospital.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling VA examinations to address the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for a right ankle disorder is granted. However, the Board finds that additional development of evidence is required before addressing the merits of his service connection claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, hypertension, and tinea pedis were denied as there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a hearing. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's cervical spine and right upper extremity disabilities are not considered to be related to his military service or any service-connected conditions.