Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2011

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a neurological consultation. The claim will be reconsidered in light of these new records.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, bilateral lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction were denied as there is no evidence of these conditions in service or post-service. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any of these conditions.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and upper extremities has been rated as moderate, warranting a 20 percent rating for each affected limb.

The Veteran is granted service connection for cervical degenerative and disc disease and cervical foraminal stenosis, cervical myelopathy with neuropathy of the left upper extremity, and cervical myelopathy with neuropathy of the right upper extremity. The effective date for these grants is set at April 29, 1988.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a VA examination for diabetes mellitus. The intertwined claims of service connection for urinary frequency, increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of upper and lower extremities, erectile dysfunction, and hearing loss are also inextricably intertwined with the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's nonservice-connected pension benefits were terminated due to his income exceeding the maximum annual rate for a housebound Veteran with one dependent. The case is remanded to itemize and verify the claimed medical expenses.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to incomplete records and a need to reconstruct his medical history. The case is returned to the RO for additional actions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have chloracne or peripheral neuropathy during service or since service, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and readjudication due to inadequate VA examination reports in 2006 and 2007, which did not consider all of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities in combination.

Service connection has been granted for cold injuries of the feet and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities. The Veteran's tinnitus claim is also granted.,The Board lacks jurisdiction over three issues as they have already been resolved in a February 2010 rating decision.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private hospital on October 7, 2008 are approved for reimbursement as the treatment was deemed necessary due to an emergency condition that would have been hazardous if delayed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain relevant records and determine the relationship between his current conditions and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right elbow arthritis and right ulnar neuropathy are proximately due to or the result of his service-connected fracture of the right collar bone, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's type 2 diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease are presumed to be the result of Agent Orange exposure during active service. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address service connection and TDIU claims, including clarification of the Veteran's claim for a back disorder.

The VA determined that the Veteran's sensory neuropathy of the feet, including residuals of frostbite injury to the feet, was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of a left knee disability and the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy was less likely as not caused by his military service, including presumed herbicide exposure. As such, the claims for these conditions are denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development, including VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his currently diagnosed Type II diabetes mellitus neuropathy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy and an earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus, type II. The Veteran was not found to have peripheral neuropathy, and his claim for diabetes mellitus is presumed due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's requests to reopen his claims for service connection for residuals of frostbite in the bilateral feet and ears were denied. His claim for a lumbar spine disability was also denied, as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service. The claim for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was also denied.