Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 30 percent, and his left arm neuropathy is rated at 60 percent. Both conditions meet the criteria for these ratings based on their severity.

The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for reimbursement of unauthorized, non-VA medical expenses incurred on November 1-2, 2005 at a private hospital due to lack of emergency circumstances and failure to obtain prior authorization.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is not related to his service-connected lumbar L5-S1 herniated disc and right-sided radiculopathy. The Veteran's left knee disability, including medial meniscectomy with early degenerative joint disease, meets criteria for a 30 percent rating based on limitation of extension.

The Veteran was granted increased ratings for his service-connected peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities. The right lower extremity received a 20 percent rating, and the left lower extremity received a 30 percent rating.,Prior to February 5, 2008, the disability was rated at 10 percent; from that date forward, it is rated at 20 percent for each affected limb.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and its complications, did not render him unemployable prior to November 29, 2007.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no credible evidence of exposure to herbicides or asbestos in service, and the current presence of diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, bilateral eye disability, bilateral lung condition, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, skeletal arthritis, arthritis of the right hand, left shoulder, and left elbow, peptic ulcer disease, and headaches were not established.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records.

The Veteran's left wrist disability and associated peripheral neuropathy have been granted, with a 10% rating effective from August 31, 2007.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is granted due to inadequate VA medical treatment resulting in the rupture of his abdominal aortic aneurysm, leading to additional disabilities.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy, to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus. However, the preponderance of the evidence is against finding a current skin disorder related to service or exposure to chemicals in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is service-connected, but his peripheral neuropathy is not.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a neurologic disability of the left foot other than peripheral neuropathy, characterized by left foot drop, finding that his foot drop was not related to his diabetes or any other service-connected condition.

The Board dismissed the appeal of peripheral neuropathy due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The skin disorder claim is granted as chloracne with scarring, presumed due to Agent Orange exposure. The erectile dysfunction claim is denied as new and material evidence was not submitted. SMC for loss of use of a creative organ is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's right hip arthritis and right leg neuropathy were not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor could they be presumed to have been incurred due to exposure to any presumptive conditions. The claims for service connection were therefore denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for urinary incontinence, peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, tinnitus, right ear hearing loss, and left ear hearing loss. The Board found no evidence of a current disability for VA purposes.

The Veteran's emergency medical treatment at Hardin County General Hospital on November 30, 2004 was deemed emergent and covered by VA due to the lack of availability of a suitable VA facility in his area.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU rating is being remanded due to the need to obtain SSA records and conduct a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain updated findings related to his degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, including VA treatment records and a contemporaneous VA examination. The RO must consider whether separate compensable ratings are warranted under Diagnostic Codes 5242 (for back disability) and 8520 (for right and left-sided radiculopathy or neuropathy).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.