Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy related to his in-service cold weather injury, and therefore service connection is granted for residuals of a cold weather injury of the lower bilateral extremities. The claim for residuals of a cold weather injury of the upper bilateral extremities is denied.

The Veteran seeks service connection for polyneuropathy, Graves disease, and GERD on the basis of Agent Orange exposure. The case is remanded to obtain VA examinations and opinions regarding these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of her claims, including a new evaluation for dysthymia and entitlement to automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower bilateral extremities, as well as hypertension, have been denied. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.,There is no current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy or hypertension in the record.

The Veteran's unauthorized private medical expenses incurred on April 9, 2008 were not reimbursable because the treatment was not related to a service-connected disability and VA facilities were feasibly available.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues including ratings for his knee and leg disabilities, effective date claims, and a need for permanent aid and attendance. The case is being remanded to allow for further development of medical evidence and clarification of the Veteran's entitlement.

The Board has ordered a VA examination by a neurologist to determine the etiology of the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy, which is believed to be related to exposure to Agent Orange during service. The case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 80 percent, but she is not found to be unemployable due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding service connection for paranoid schizophrenia, a low back disorder, and conditions secondary to herbicide exposure. The appeal concerning peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities as well as an increased rating for a cervical spine disability is pending.

The Veteran's cerebellar atrophy/spinocerebellar degeneration and chronic peripheral neuropathy are related to in-service Agent Orange exposure, and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus is found to be the primary cause of his bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities. The Board grants service connection for these conditions as secondary to his service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted an increased rating to 70 percent, and his back strain disability was granted a higher rating of 40 percent effective January 21, 2010. The ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left legs remain at 10 percent.

The Veteran's cold injury residuals are currently evaluated as 30 percent disabling, the maximum available under Diagnostic Code 7122. The Board has found no evidence of additional service-connected conditions that would warrant separate ratings.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, as well as for pulmonary emphysema, peripheral neuropathy, and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that these conditions were not related to his active service or exposure to herbicides.

The VA has determined that the Veteran does not have hepatitis C, but his lower back and upper extremity peripheral neuropathy disorders are aggravated by service.,The VA has also found that the Veteran's lower back disorder is aggravated by service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including posttraumatic stress disorder, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, onychomycosis of the right foot, and coronary artery disease, have rendered him unable to obtain and maintain gainful employment since July 10, 2007.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to insufficient development of his Agent Orange exposure claim and the need for a VA examination regarding his vertigo with dizziness and nausea.

The Veteran's diabetic peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities has been rated as 40 percent disabling since March 17, 2009.

The Board found that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction was not incurred in or aggravated by his service-connected residuals of a hernia surgery, and denied entitlement to service connection for this condition. The right ilio-inguinal sensory neuropathy evaluation remains pending as it is related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus (Type II) with peripheral neuropathy of the hands and feet is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his disability.