Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2011

The Veteran's left wrist disorder, including CTS and ulnar neuropathy, is not service-connected. The cervical spine disability has been rated at 10% since the initial rating decision in July 2006.

The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need to verify his exposure to herbicides in Korea and determine if he was part of a unit that provided support to the 7th Infantry Division. The case will be readjudicated after these records are obtained.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including VA examinations and a de novo review of the claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete medical records and need for a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities and erectile dysfunction, finding that the conditions did not have their onset during service or due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was also found not to be a proximate cause.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities are service connected due to exposure to herbicides during his active duty in Vietnam. The Veteran's PTSD is also service-connected.

The Veteran's diabetes and peripheral neuropathy claims are being remanded for further examination. His adjustment disorder with depressed mood claim is also remanded, but he needs to file a Substantive Appeal to perfect his appeal on this issue.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of his claims, including a VA examination to evaluate the severity of his service-connected PTSD and peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is found to be due to exposure to herbicide agents during service, and thus granted service connection.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities have been withdrawn. The case is being remanded to further evaluate his claims for tinnitus, PTSD, and TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cold injury to both feet, including sensory neuropathy, arthritis, cold sensitivity with Raynaud's phenomenon, recurrent onychomycosis, callus and corn formation from sensory neuropathy, is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if his bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy and erectile dysfunction are related to service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a stomach disorder, cardiovascular disorder, peripheral neuropathy of upper and lower extremities. The decision found that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the underlying issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as his combined disability rating is only 50 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a personal hearing before the Board. The issues of service connection for polyneuropathy associated with herbicide exposure, Graves disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder are pending.

The Veteran's SMC was reduced from the housebound rate to the 'K' rate for loss of use of a creative organ. The Board has determined that additional development is necessary due to the reduction in his disability rating and need for an examination to determine if he needs regular aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is reasonably shown to be proximately due to or the result of his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus grants service connection for this condition on a secondary basis. The issue of service connection for tinnitus remains pending as it was not addressed in the decision.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder does not render him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance or permanently bedridden due to his nonservice-connected medical conditions. Therefore, he is not entitled to special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board found no relationship between the Veteran's current peripheral neuropathy and essential tremor of the hands with his service, including exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.