Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2000

The Board finds that the veteran's right knee disorder is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected residuals of a shell fragment wound (SFW) of the right lower leg with fracture of the right fibula.,The claim for left knee disorder as secondary to the service-connected right lower leg disability is not well grounded, and thus denied. The veteran's testimony did not provide sufficient evidence to support this claim.,The claim for peripheral neuropathy of the fingers and head as a result of exposure to herbicides is also not well grounded.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected diabetes mellitus, finding that there is no objective medical evidence showing restricted social or occupational activities due to his diabetes.

The Board found no evidence of current peripheral neuropathy and concluded that the veteran's claim for service connection was not well grounded.

The veteran's neuropathy of the lumbar spine is productive of severe limitation of motion, warranting a 40 percent evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy and hepatitis C, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Board found that the veteran's conditions did not warrant an increased rating beyond the current 10 percent assigned.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for PTSD and peripheral neuropathy are not well-grounded. The veteran's statements regarding diagnoses of PTSD or exposure to Agent Orange were not supported by medical evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an effective date prior to August 13, 1987 for a 100 percent disability evaluation for service-connected schizophrenia and his secondary service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and chloracne all related to Agent Orange exposure. The RO granted a 100 percent rating for schizophrenia effective March 14, 1989, but amended the effective date to August 13, 1987.

The Board has granted service connection for chloracne, which the veteran claims is due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. Service connection was denied for peripheral neuropathy as there is no evidence it is related to Agent Orange or any other incident of service.

The Board denied the veteran's increased rating claim for residuals of a right foot injury, finding that his disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for an evaluation greater than 10 percent.

The Board finds the claim well grounded and grants service connection for peripheral neuropathy involving the left upper extremity due to exposure to an herbicide agent during active service.

The Board granted service connection for mycosis fungoides effective from December 21, 1993. The claims for headaches, degenerative changes in the cervical and lumbar spine, psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and polysensory neuropathy were not well-grounded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, hepatitis, and peripheral neuropathy as secondary to herbicide exposure. The claim for reopening a previously denied hearing loss claim was also denied. The rating for otitis externa remains unchanged.

The Board has ordered additional development of the record to determine the severity and effects of the veteran's service-connected chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy with possible multiple sclerosis, including neurological manifestations, limitations of ordinary functions, and its impact on employment.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's right upper extremity disorder to his active duty service, including his service in the Persian Gulf. The claim was denied.

The veteran's appeal is denied for an increased evaluation for his left elbow fracture and adhesive capsulitis of the left shoulder. The claim for a total evaluation based upon individual unemployability remains in appellate status due to its connection with other issues.

The Board has granted increased evaluations for weakness in the right and left lower extremities, as well as bowel disturbance with constipation and urinary leakage. Impotency is not service-connected.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for pancreatitis, peripheral neuropathy, organic brain syndrome, degenerative osteoarthritis and Burger's disease as a residual of exposure to Agent Orange.

The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a neurological examination to determine the etiology of any abnormal neurological findings shown on the current examination.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, lymphoma, Epstein-Barr viral syndrome, and peripheral neuropathy due to exposure to herbicides such as Agent Orange. The expert opinion from the VA Medical Center denied an etiological link between these conditions and Agent Orange exposure.