Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2011

The Veteran's medical expenses incurred on November 24, 2006 for treatment of a service-connected left foot disability were authorized and are therefore eligible for payment by VA.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection, and total disability rating based upon individual unemployability were denied. The claim to reopen a skin rash was previously denied in December 1981 and May 1994.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected diabetic neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including VA treatment records and private treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a foot disability was denied as there is no competent medical evidence showing that his current bilateral foot disabilities are related to active military service.

The Board has granted a TDIU based on the appellant's service-connected disabilities. The appeal for higher evaluations of bilateral hearing loss disability, peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an opinion on whether the Veteran's left foot disability is related to his service-connected right ankle disability and addressing the use of adaptive equipment. The case will be returned to the Board after this additional development.

The Veteran's nerve damage of the left lower extremity is not shown, and his service connection claim for this condition remains unresolved. The issue of an increased rating for right clubfoot with calf atrophy and peroneal neuropathy in excess of 20 percent has been remanded.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hypertension is proximately due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for a right upper arm disability, left ulnar neuropathy, low back disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral leg disability, forehead cyst, and neurological disability of the left hand. However, after review of all available evidence, including service records and post-service medical records, the Board finds that there is no credible evidence establishing a link between these disabilities and active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities and a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus are being remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and VCAA compliance issues.

The Veteran's initial claim for IDS was granted with a 20% rating effective March 1, 1999. The rating was increased to 40% effective December 21, 2005.,Since January 15, 2010, the Veteran has been rated at 60% for IDS due to severe limitation of motion and complete paralysis of the sciatic nerve bilaterally.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate rationale in a previous VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to address whether the Veteran's hypertension and upper extremity peripheral neuropathy are related to service, diabetes, or PTSD.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for acid reflux, back and neck bone spurs, hearing loss, tinnitus, ear infections, a prostate disorder, neuropathy of the right lower extremity, or neuropathy of the left lower extremity. The Veteran's conditions are not considered to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling, and the evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his service-connected conditions, including heart murmur, diabetic nephropathy with hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities. The Board has determined that further development is needed for all issues on appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed disabilities were not caused by VA treatment and thus denied his claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity and left ear hearing loss disability were denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy, to include as secondary to herbicide exposure, is denied. The Board found no evidence of in-service disease or injury and the long interval between service and diagnosis makes it unlikely that the current conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy were not incurred in active service or due to exposure to herbicides. The claims are therefore denied.