Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2009

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records.

The Board found that the Veteran's current balance disability, to include peripheral neuropathy, is not due to his care and treatment at a VA facility in December 2002, specifically an overdose of Phenobarbital.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, skin disorder, and peripheral neuropathy were denied. The claim for migraine headache disability was also denied as no current diagnosis of the condition has been established.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him so helpless as to require the aid and attendance of another. The non-service-connected age/senility with generalized body weakness, flexion contractures of the knees with loss of motion and multiple arthritis has rendered him so helpless as to require the aid and attendance of another.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability was denied an increased rating, and his left knee and peroneal nerve neuropathy disabilities were also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her incapable of securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is capable of performing the physical acts required by sedentary employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection and increased rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the applicable diagnostic code. The Board found that his condition does not warrant a higher rating based on the need for insulin or regulation of activities. Service connection was granted for left carpal tunnel syndrome and peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity as secondary to diabetes mellitus, but the Veteran's employment is not affected by these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have upper extremity peripheral neuropathy due to disease or injury incurred in service, including as a complication of his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy and actinic and seborrheic keratosis, both claimed as secondary to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable rating schedule. The current evaluations are considered appropriate.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, peripheral neuropathy, cardiovascular heart disease, vitiligo, and erectile dysfunction, all secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The appeal was not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him incapable of securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such severity as to preclude him from securing and following some form of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and work experience, warranting a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including residuals of a cold injury and chronic sinus condition, are not service-connected as they were not incurred or aggravated during his active duty.

The Veteran's home nursing care from May 31, 2005 to October 8, 2005 was not authorized by VA prior to the care being provided. As a result, payment or reimbursement for these medical expenses is denied.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, disability due to head injuries, and disability due to an allergic reaction to medicine were not caused or permanently worsened as a result of VA treatment. The Board found that the proximate cause was not carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault on the part of VA.