Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2010

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to type 2 diabetes mellitus. The Veteran is required to provide authorization for VA to obtain private medical records from Drs. Maurice Kelley, Peter Mason, and the unnamed Florida provider who treated him with a device called 'Anodyne'.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral vascular disease and peripheral neuropathy are being remanded due to the need for additional notification, evidentiary development, and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or etiology related to his military service. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity remains pending and will be addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and bilateral lower and upper extremity peripheral neuropathy are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostatitis, left arm neuropathy, and left leg neuropathy. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder are found to be related to his service, allowing for service connection.,Peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity is determined to be secondary to diabetes mellitus type II. The Board finds all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.,Peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is also determined to be secondary to diabetes mellitus type II. All reasonable doubt is resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and records to determine if the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is related to his military service or Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's combined evaluation for compensation is 40 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a TDIU as per VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple conditions and exposures, with the majority of issues seeking service connection for various health problems. The Board has determined that a hearing is needed to address these claims.

The Board has determined that a medical opinion is needed regarding the Veteran's occupational limitations due to service-connected disabilities, and the case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted effective August 18, 2009, as he met the schedular criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claimed peripheral neuropathy is not due to, or the result of, Agent Orange exposure or any other incident of service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection due to herbicide exposure, specifically in Thailand.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have been granted service connection, but the VA has determined that neither condition warrants a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral idiopathic sensorimotor polyneuropathy of the legs is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of his current disability, including whether it is related to his military service or his service-connected diabetes.

The Board found that the Veteran's diagnosed polyneuropathy is not acute or subacute peripheral neuropathy, and thus does not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to exposure to herbicides. The Board also determined that there is no evidence of a direct relationship between the Veteran's current condition and his active duty service.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy, diagnosed as secondary to frostbite sustained in service, is related to his period of active duty. As a result, the claim for service connection for residuals of a cold injury affecting the feet/legs is granted.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) at the rate allowed by 38 U.S.C.A. � 1114(r)(2) is granted, as he receives necessary and life-sustaining daily health care with hands-on facilitation by his wife who has received specific training and performs under the direction, guidance, and supervision of a caregiver.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus due to lack of in-service manifestation or continuity of symptoms after discharge.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding his current disability status and ability to perform daily activities.