Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private medical facility on July 12-13, 2005 due to lack of evidence showing an ongoing emergency and because VA facilities were feasibly available.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inconsistencies in the examination report and need for clarification regarding the etiology of the Veteran's neuropathy symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a muscle condition was denied. However, his claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was granted and set to December 15, 2000.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the veteran's right eye atrophy and optic neuropathy, specifically whether it is related to service-connected von Recklinghausen's disease or began during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to April 23, 2002. The claim for TDIU is denied for the period prior to this date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and peripheral neuropathy, are found to be so severe that they prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of peripheral neuropathy in service or within one year following discharge from service. The Veteran's arm symptoms began many years after service, and the medical evidence does not support a link between his current arm symptoms and any events during service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the arms has been denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verifying stressors and obtaining SSA records. The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, chronic lipomas, and peripheral neuropathy are also being reviewed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding his diabetes mellitus, bilateral eye disability, and related conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure. Service connection is also granted for diabetic-related lower extremity neuropathies, but not for upper extremity neuropathies.

The Veteran died of bilateral pneumonia, which the VA determined was not related to any service-connected disability. The Board found that there is insufficient evidence to determine if a service-connected condition contributed to his death.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inconsistencies in previous determinations and new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a right wrist fracture have been rated at the maximum disability level due to pain, weakness, and limitation of motion without ankylosis. A separate compensable rating for sensory polyneuropathy is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a certificate of eligibility for financial assistance in acquiring special home adaptation.

The Board has granted service connection for left ulnar neuropathy, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine conditions are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability, including the peroneal neuropathy component, is currently rated at 40 percent. The claim for increased rating remains granted.

The Veteran's spondylotic changes of the lumbar spine were not incurred or aggravated by service, nor can it be presumed.,There is no evidence of a frostbite injury of the left and right lower extremities during service. The Veteran's current condition does not appear to be related to his military service.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy was not caused or permanently worsened by any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right and left lower and upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus, has been denied due to a lack of current disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for an additional VA examination to assess the current manifestations of his service-connected ulnar neuropathy and paresthesia of the right hand, 3rd through 5th fingers. The Veteran contends that his symptoms have worsened.