Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2010

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to determine if service connection can be established for hypertension, erectile dysfunction secondary to diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of all extremities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of his bilateral feet and hands is not related to service, including exposure to radiation or syphilis. As such, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower and upper extremities did not manifest during service or within a reasonable time frame post-service, and there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service. Therefore, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran is seeking special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities. However, the VA needs to provide an adequate opinion regarding whether he is in need of regular aid and attendance from another person.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a disability claimed as peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, manifested by pain, tingling and numbness. The case is being remanded to determine if his current neurologic disability in the left leg is related to the November 2004 vein removal associated with his coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's case is being remanded for further development due to the submission of additional medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of upper and lower extremities, and an initial increase in evaluation for early diabetic nephropathy changes as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II have all been denied. The evidence does not support the presence of these conditions.

The Veteran's right epididymitis with obturator neuropathy is currently rated at 30 percent, effective November 26, 2008. The claim for an increased evaluation remains in appeal as the Veteran seeks a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an examination to assess his employability given his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at the Dialysis Clinic, Incorporated in March, April and May of 2008 were not covered by VA because prior authorization was not obtained. The services provided were not rendered in a medical emergency of such nature that delay would have been hazardous to life or health.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for venous peripheral vascular disease and idiopathic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, including as secondary to service-connected bilateral flat feet with painful plantar calluses. As such, these claims remain denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. The appellant must be provided with VCAA compliant notice and a VA medical opinion regarding whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's service-connected conditions contributed to his death.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II due to herbicide exposure during active duty. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities are also found to be related to his diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, skin cancer, and leukemia, are not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board found that the Veteran's application for TDIU was not a new claim but rather a notice of disagreement, and thus did not warrant an earlier effective date. The evidence does not show unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to December 17, 2007.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination. The Veteran may be entitled to an increased disability rating or TDIU as a result of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for folliculitis of the neck was denied. The RO granted service connection and a 10 percent rating for left elbow disability, left shoulder strain, and degenerative disc disease at L4-5. However, the Veteran's appeal is not about service connection issues.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability did not cause his death from sepsis and urinary tract infection. The Board finds that the Veteran's dementia, which broke the chain of causation between the fall and subsequent complications, contributed to his death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy was denied as the evidence did not show that his condition was incurred in or aggravated by service, and there is no presumption of exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral glaucoma, soft tissue sarcoma, peripheral neuropathy of the feet, and chloracne due to Agent Orange exposure were denied. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.