Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetic neuropathy and type II diabetes mellitus are not warranted, as his conditions do not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The VA examiner found that the service-connected conditions do not render him unable to work, when considering his age and other non-service connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy warrants a 20 percent disability rating, as it currently manifests sensory impairment to light touch and sharp objects across all nerve root levels of the upper and lower extremities.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, PTSD, and diabetic neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities have been dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for left leg neuropathy as secondary to the veteran's service-connected sural nerve injury. The increased rating claim for sural nerve injury is also granted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, narcolepsy, hypertension, ocular hypertension (claimed as glaucoma), a left below-the-knee amputation, and peripheral neuropathy. The veteran's leg ulcers secondary to diabetes mellitus claim was withdrawn.

The veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and right ilioinguinal and cutaneous femoral neuropathy were granted, but her claims for increased ratings remain in appellate status. The RO assigned a 10 percent disability rating to each condition.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to new evidence and allegations of worsening disability.

The veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for service-connected sensory neuropathy of the right and left thighs are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development.

The veteran's claims for disability benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining records of VA treatment and providing a medical opinion.

The VA has determined that the veteran's residuals of multiple left hand and forearm shell fragment wounds, with a retained foreign body and peripheral neuropathy, do not warrant an increased rating beyond the current 10% disability rating.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Board hearing at the RO.

The Board has determined that the veteran's nerve disorder of the right foot, affecting the sural nerve, warrants a disability rating of 20 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's status post fusion of L5-S1 warranted a 20 percent rating, effective December 9, 2003. The sensory neuropathy of the right foot was also granted a 20 percent rating.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims of service connection for polyneuropathy, right below the knee amputation and left great toe amputation as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The evidence shows that these conditions were caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly assess the severity of the veteran's service-connected diabetes and to determine the nature and etiology of several other claimed disabilities. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a 30 percent rating prior to July 7, 2003. From July 7, 2003, to September 1, 2003, he received a 50 percent rating for severe limitation of motion and compression fracture of L5. After that period, the disability was rated at 60 percent due to pronounced intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to assess all residuals of the veteran's shell fragment wound. The issues on appeal are an increased rating for right lower leg neuropathy and an increased rating for injury to muscle group XI.

The Board has determined that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service. The claim for service connection for a skin disorder is REMANDED.

The veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses at Jane Phillips Medical Center on December 28, 2003 is denied as the treatment was not rendered in a medical emergency and did not meet other criteria for reimbursement under VA regulations.