Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus and related disorders, including as due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam and Thailand, is denied because there is no evidence of such conditions during or after service.

The Board found no evidence of peripheral neuropathy in service or within a year after service, and the Veteran's assertions that his current condition is related to service were not supported by medical evidence. The claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the hands and feet have been denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of diabetic nephropathy, and the preponderance of the evidence did not support a finding that any of his other conditions are related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board found new and material evidence for Scheuermann's disease and denied other claims. The Veteran is still seeking service connection for his conditions.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is granted, subject to the controlling regulations applicable to the payment of monetary benefits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical evidence.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on April 25, 2008 at Memorial Hospital were not authorized by VA and did not meet the criteria for reimbursement under applicable laws.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing at the RO level. The issues of service connection for trench foot, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and inguinal lymphadenopathy with swollen lymph nodes and urinary tract infections are pending.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus is found to be the cause of his current peripheral neuropathy, and he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and cervical spine neuropathy, but denied the claim of right upper extremity neuropathy related to cervical spine. The Veteran is assigned a 30% disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities results in complete anesthesia covering the entire dorsum of both feet and toes, which is equivalent to loss of use of a foot for purposes of an automobile and specially adapted equipment certificate. The criteria for such entitlement have been met.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity, all to include as due to service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, allergies, hypertension, scar (upper back), right ear hearing loss, and migraine headaches are all rated at the maximum allowed under their respective diagnostic codes. The Board has not found any additional service-connected conditions or issues on appeal.

The Veteran's residuals of surgery, dorsal nerve entrapment, left foot have not resulted in more than moderately severe injury or symptoms that warrant a higher disability rating.

The Veteran does not have additional disability of permanent nerve or muscle damage of the right upper arm resulting from VA medical treatment involving EMG/NC study in September 2004.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral feet is service-connected due to exposure to jet fuel during his military service. The benign cranial tumor, headaches, and bilateral eye disability are not found to be related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to determine if he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities prior to and after March 30, 2011. The RO will consider whether the Veteran can secure and follow substantially gainful employment given all of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is necessary to determine the relationship between any current lumbar spine disorder and active service, as well as whether the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is secondary to his lumbar spine disorder. The issues are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for residuals of cold exposure, including peripheral neuropathy and cold injury to the upper and lower extremities. The Board found that the evidence was in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's current conditions were related to his in-service cold exposure.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities was not shown to meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating prior to April 27, 2010. After that date, there is no evidence showing severe incomplete paralysis with marked muscle atrophy in either leg.