Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2014

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his active service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, type II, erectile dysfunction, peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's hypertension and peripheral neuropathy are being remanded for additional development to determine if they are related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, or if they were caused by Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his exposure to Agent Orange and the nature of his diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are being reviewed to determine if they caused or contributed to his cause of death, which was terminal lymphoma. The Board has ordered a VA opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's cause of death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, have been rated at a combined 70 percent effective August 15, 2011. These conditions are found to preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran does not have additional disability, including Guillain-Barré syndrome, as a result of an influenza vaccination at a VA facility on November 10, 2009.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities is granted as incurred in service, while the issues regarding hammertoes remain on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's petition to reopen service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to herbicide exposure was granted, but his petition to reopen service connection for nephropathy was denied. The Board found new and material evidence related to peripheral neuropathy, but not to nephropathy.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and peripheral neuropathy in the upper and lower extremities are granted. The claim for PTSD is granted with an initial rating of 70 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities and determine if a left leg disorder is related to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including VA examinations and obtaining outstanding treatment records. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, to include as due to herbicide exposure, is being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran is entitled to an effective date of May 3, 2010 for the award of TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected left arm fracture and his claimed conditions, as well as to ensure all relevant treatment records are obtained.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for an acute exacerbation of COPD were covered by VA as the treatment was deemed necessary due to a continued medical emergency and not feasible to transfer to a VA facility.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to conflicting opinions on the cause of the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy, including Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's poliomyelitis residuals involving the right lower extremity were noted on his entrance to service and are not shown to have increased in severity during his active duty service. Service connection for poliomyelitis is therefore denied.,Peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities was not manifested in service or within the first post-service year, and the preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that such disability is related to the Veteran's active service, to include as due to his herbicide exposure therein. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is therefore denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional private medical records from Providence Hospital in Olympia, Washington. The claims will be adjudicated again after these records are obtained.

The Board has determined that an effective date of February 26, 1999 is warranted for the grant of service connection and SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to PTSD and diabetes.