Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound was denied as he does not meet the criteria for SMC under VA regulations.

The Veteran's service-connected left ulnar neuropathy is currently rated at 20 percent disabling from December 30, 2010. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher rating of 30 percent for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy and allergies are not service-connected, as they were not present in service or until years thereafter and are not etiologically related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims to reopen service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, finding that the evidence did not show current disabilities for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran was not unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected disabilities prior to December 1, 2006.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower and upper extremities, as well as his claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, have been denied. The Board found no evidence of diagnosed peripheral neuropathy during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder, diabetes mellitus, type 2, peripheral neuropathy, and a skin condition to include as secondary to exposure to herbicides due to incomplete development. The Veteran's attorney submitted additional evidence that was not initially considered by the RO.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to determine the current severity and impairment of the service-connected left brachial plexus neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a complete copy of Dr. Jon Whisler's March 2009 opinion and arranging for a neurological examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, sleep apnea, hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied. The Board found no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disorder, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, and bilateral hip disorders were not proximately caused by VA carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or similar instance of fault on the part of VA. The events leading to these disabilities did not occur during VA treatment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of both upper extremities does not warrant ratings higher than 50 percent and 40 percent, respectively, for either condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is causally related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute substantially to his death from acute myocardial infarction. The medical opinion provided by a VA physician indicated it was less likely than not that any of the Veteran's service-connected conditions contributed to his death.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities was not shown to be related to his service, including as due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy, actinic keratosis, and squamous cell carcinoma are related to service exposure to radiation. As such, these claims have been granted.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a neurological disability of the left upper extremity, including reflex sympathetic dystrophy and peripheral neuropathy, which he claims is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Board has ordered additional development due to incomplete medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected COPD and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities have rendered him unable to use his feet, meeting the criteria for assistance in providing an automobile and adaptive equipment.

The Board finds that the Veteran's upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, as a manifestation of diabetes mellitus type II, did not manifest prior to January 24, 2004. Therefore, an effective date prior to this date is denied.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD and granted service connection based on in-service combat exposure. Service connection was also granted for diabetes mellitus type II due to herbicide exposure, but not for other conditions as they were not diagnosed or related to service.