Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2012

The Veteran's seven service connected disabilities meet the schedular requirements for consideration of a TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a), and his combined rating is currently at 80 percent, effective from September 2011.

The Veteran's right tibia disability and associated nerve damage have been evaluated as noncompensable. The claim for TDIU has not met the criteria for an effective date prior to May 9, 2007.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary and the case is being remanded to schedule a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no evidence of pre-existing diabetes prior to prednisone use.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination by an endocrinologist to determine the etiology of any current neurological disorder of the upper extremities and whether it is related to service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for a separate compensable initial evaluation for peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity, secondary to service-connected diabetes has been denied as the Veteran failed to attend his scheduled VA examination without providing any reason.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is being remanded due to the need for another VA examination to assess his employability given his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities. The current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board finds that the appellant was not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities prior to October 22, 2007. As such, an effective date earlier than October 22, 2007 for a TDIU is not factually ascertainable.

The Board has remanded the case back to the RO for a review of additional evidence submitted by the Veteran, and further development is needed before the claims can be adjudicated.

The Board has determined that the Veteran should be afforded a new VA examination to assess the etiology of his lumbar spine disability, and the claims for service connection for residuals of right eye injury and neuropathy, bilateral wrists are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The issue of service connection for a disorder of the feet, including peripheral neuropathy, is also granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for peripheral neuropathy is based on presumed exposure to Agent Orange during military service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for amputation of the left great toe is granted at a 30 percent level, based on metatarsal involvement. The claim for an increased evaluation for diabetes mellitus with diabetic neuropathy remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses at a private facility was denied due to the denial being based on care not related to a service-connected or aggravating condition, and because Medicare covered his costs. The VAMC will need to obtain additional records and provide an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected conditions caused or aggravated the medical condition for which he sought treatment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the Veteran's bilateral foot disorder and peripheral neuropathy are related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the case to schedule a VA cold injury examination and readjudicate the claim for service connection for residuals of frozen feet.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA heart examination and obtaining recent VA medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of his claims, including service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and residuals of a back injury.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the threshold level of severity for consideration of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability, and his claim is denied.