Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized private medical expenses incurred on March 21, 2005 was denied because the services were not for a service-connected disability and there were no feasible VA facilities available.

The veteran's combined schedular rating is 70 percent, but his service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's claim for retroactive VA compensation due to receiving military retirement pay instead of VA compensation is denied as there is no legal provision warranting the award.

The veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus was manifested by dietary restriction and either insulin or an oral hypoglycemic agent prior to November 5, 2003. The disability did not meet the criteria for a rating greater than 20 percent.

The veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound is remanded due to unclear determination of his mobility issues.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities as secondary to diabetes mellitus, which is a service-connected condition.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, finding no evidence to support a presumption based on herbicide exposure or direct service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral ankle disability and rheumatic heart disease.

The veteran's claims for PTSD and peripheral vascular disease, claimed as pain and peripheral neuropathy of the hands and feet, were denied because there was no evidence of in-service stressors or exposure to herbicides that would support service connection. The claim for peripheral neuropathy could not be granted based on presumptive service connection due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have diabetic peripheral neuropathy and therefore cannot establish service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for peripheral neuropathy, which he claims is due to herbicide exposure. The claim will now be reviewed on its merits.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected low back disorder, left shoulder disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, right femur fracture, and left femur fracture. The neuropathy of the lower right leg was also not granted a separate evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for depression as secondary to the veteran's service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied service connection for residuals of cold injury of the lower extremities. The veteran is currently rated at 10% for his hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed back condition, knee condition, and peripheral neuropathy are not related to his military service.

The Board has granted the veteran separate 30 percent evaluations for instability of both knees, in addition to the currently assigned 10 percent ratings for limitation of motion. The current evaluations are considered adequate as they account for functional impairment due to pain and weakness.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to inadequate VCAA notice, and further development is required.

The Board has determined that an effective date earlier than March 1, 2002 for the award of pension benefits is denied.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for psychiatric disability, claimed as PTSD. The decision is to grant this claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA neurology examination and consideration of all submitted evidence.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and consideration of his claims, including service connection for peripheral neuropathy as secondary to a service-connected pituitary tumor.