Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran is entitled to reimbursement or payment for the costs of unauthorized medical expenses incurred during a period of hospitalization from March 14 to March 20, 2012, at McLaren Lapeer Regional Medical Center due to a medical emergency involving a service-connected disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was not incurred in or aggravated by his active military service, nor may it be presumed to have been so incurred. The claim for a bilateral foot disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance of another person or being housebound.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination report and need for additional development.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy in both upper extremities. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, which are currently denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities is as likely as not related to his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The rating assigned for the service-connected lumbar spine disability remains at 20 percent.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is found to be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The claim for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities was denied as there is no evidence of such a condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment as of December 11, 2009. The Board granted a TDIU effective that date.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, as well as his requests for earlier effective dates for service connection for diabetes mellitus and TDIU have been withdrawn. The Board also dismissed these issues due to lack of evidence supporting earlier effective dates.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy are etiologically related to his in-service herbicide exposure, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran withdrew his appeal for increased ratings for adenocarcinoma of the prostate, status post radiation therapy with urinary incontinence; peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities; peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities; and for entitlement to automobile and adaptive equipment or for adaptive equipment only. The Board also determined that a cerebrovascular accident was not incurred or aggravated by service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative joint disease, bilateral upper extremity cervical radiculopathy, and residuals of a right femur fracture. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is also service-connected. However, initial disability ratings are denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's coronary artery disease is secondary to herbicide exposure, and service connection for this condition is granted. However, there is no evidence showing a direct link between the peripheral neuropathy and military service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran seeks service connection for chronic residuals from bilateral fractures of the feet, which he claims occurred during his military service. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claimed peripheral neuropathy, including tingling and numbness in the hands, is not considered to be related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for a hearing and his desire to withdraw all pending issues on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension are being remanded due to incomplete service records and the need for additional examinations. The peripheral neuropathy claims will be considered as part of this process.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence linking the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities to his active service, including exposure to ionizing radiation and chemicals. As such, the claim for service connection has been denied.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity was rated at 10 percent prior to July 17, 2006.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and service connection for hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.