Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities. The intertwined issue of diabetes mellitus may affect the outcome of peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to conflicting medical evidence regarding his diagnoses and the need for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities is currently rated at 10 percent, but does not meet criteria for a higher rating as there is no evidence of moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have worsened, but the Board has determined that a rating in excess of 50 percent is not warranted prior to January 29, 2011. The claims for service connection for COPD, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral knee arthritis, arthritis of the right wrist, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, back condition, neck condition, pneumonia, and cholinergic urticaria have been withdrawn.

The Board found no credible evidence to support the Veteran's claims of exposure to herbicides or service connection for his claimed conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension and peripheral neuropathy were not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus denied these claims.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at the University of Kentucky Hospital from September 7, 2012 to September 11, 2012 are now covered by VA as they were for a continued medical emergency due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not currently have peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, nor is there evidence to support a finding that it was incurred in service. The claim for hypertension secondary to herbicide exposure is also denied as no opinion could be provided regarding its etiology.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded to the AOJ for additional development, including obtaining a clear copy of the March 2014 addendum VA medical opinion and referring it to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities was rated as 10 percent prior to May 28, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran needs aid and attendance of another person due to service-connected disabilities, specifically the residuals of a shell fragment wound of Muscle Group XIII of the right thigh and diabetic peripheral neuropathy affecting both upper and lower extremities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of right leg neuropathy and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied. The Veteran's PTSD was found to meet criteria for a 70 percent disability rating from June 24, 2008 to November 9, 2009. For his old contusion of the right kidney with residual abdominal wall muscle strain, the Board has determined that a higher than 10 percent rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his combat service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The Board finds additional development necessary for the remaining issues as the Veteran reported worsening of these conditions since the last VA compensation examinations.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Baptist Medical Center Hospital from September 25 - 29, 2009 were denied as the emergency treatment was not considered to be of such nature that a prudent layperson could have reasonably expected delay in seeking immediate medical attention would be hazardous to life or health.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is found to be proximately due to or the result of his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The lumbar spine disability and radiculitis/radiculopathy are not currently service connected, but may be secondary to the service-connected diabetes.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete records from Social Security Administration.

The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records. The Veteran's hypertension, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and PTSD claims will be reviewed again with additional examinations to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, acquired psychiatric disability to include PTSD, renal problems, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral vascular disease has been granted. The decision also includes the reopening of his previously denied claim for service connection for a leg and back disability.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 8, 2008 for the grant of a TDIU was denied as there was no evidence that he was unemployable due to his service-connected conditions prior to this date.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for sleep apnea. The Veteran's claims for hypertension, erectile dysfunction, chloracne, bilateral cataracts, hyperlipidemia, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities have all been denied.