Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2000

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for PTSD, residuals of a gunshot wound and right ulnar neuropathy, and TDIU. The decision is final as no further action was taken on these issues.

The veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for generalized cysts has been granted. The issue of service connection for peripheral neuropathy remains pending.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 60 percent for sciatic neuropathy of the left lower extremity, effective from December 28, 1990.

The Board found no evidence to support the appellant's claim for service connection for unspecified disability or disabilities as a result of cigarette smoking during active military service and/or nicotine dependence acquired during active military service. The claim was denied because there is insufficient medical evidence linking any current conditions to service.

The Board found that the veteran's injuries in a December 1963 tractor trailer accident were not due to his own willful misconduct, and thus may be considered for pension purposes.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tremors (shaking of the hands) and peripheral neuropathy as a result of exposure to herbicides, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's partial neuropathy, left ulnar nerve does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The veteran's ulnar nerve neuropathy and arthritis of the left elbow are rated at their maximum levels, with a 60% rating for the ulnar nerve condition and a 30% rating for the arthritis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected neuropathy of the left pudendal nerve contributed to his impotence, and thus grants service connection for impotence on a secondary basis.

The veteran's claim is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of new evidence.

The VA determined that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy is not related to his service or exposure to Agent Orange, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for neuropathy of the hands and feet, a skin disorder, a stomach disorder, dizziness, and headaches, all claimed as secondary to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for anxiety neurosis. The claims for service connection for PTSD, chronic lung disease as secondary to Agent Orange exposure, hypotesticularosteopenia or loss of bone mass, a mid and upper back disorder, human adjuvant disease with peripheral neuropathy as secondary to service-connected removal of the right testicle with testicular silicone implant; ulcers as secondary to medications prescribed for service-connected disability; and chronic fatigue syndrome are supported by cognizable evidence showing that they are plausible or capable of substantiation. The claim for service connection for hypothyroidism is not supported by cognizable evidence showing it is plausible or capable of substantiation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service connection claim for residuals of frostbite and peripheral neuropathy of the feet fails due to lack of competent evidence linking these conditions to his time in service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for peripheral neuropathy and growths on his neck and head (likely dermatomycosis), and PTSD. The evidence did not support a finding of well-grounded claims for these conditions.

The veteran's claims for service connection were granted, and he was assigned a 10 percent evaluation for each of the conditions listed on the first page of this decision.

The veteran's combined disability rating is 80%, but he does not have at least one service-connected disability rated at 40% or more. Therefore, the Board finds that a total rating for compensation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is not warranted.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for various service-connected disabilities, including bipolar disorder, asthma with obstructive disease, sensory nerve entrapment of the right upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, headaches, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, were denied. The RO found that none of these conditions warranted a rating in excess of the current assigned ratings.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for peripheral neuropathy. The claim is well-grounded, meaning it appears plausible.

The Board found no evidence of a well grounded claim for service connection due to the lack of medical evidence showing a link between the veteran's current diabetic peripheral neuropathy and his period of active military service, including herbicidal exposure (Agent Orange).