Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2000

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide agent exposure in service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy due to exposure to Agent Orange, finding that his claim was not well-grounded.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer and peripheral neuropathy, finding the veteran did not perfect a timely appeal. Service connection for PTSD was granted due to credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities as secondary to service-connected frostbite of both feet and granted an increased evaluation for frostbite. The veteran's representative withdrew from consideration other issues, including those related to housing and automobile benefits.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of fractures of the left tibia and fibula was denied, as his condition did not warrant a higher rating than 30 percent. A separate 10 percent rating was assigned for osteoarthritis of the left ankle with limitation of motion.

The Board denied service connection for pancreatitis and peripheral neuropathy, finding that the veteran's pancreatitis was not initially manifested in service and is not shown to be otherwise related thereto. The claim of entitlement to service connection for peripheral neuropathy is also denied as it is not well grounded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of a left-hand injury, which resulted in moderate incomplete paralysis of the minor ulnar nerve, warrant a 20 percent disability evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy is due to exposure to Agent Orange during service and grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's conditions do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance of another person due to his ability to perform daily activities with assistance.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for neurological residuals, to include peripheral neuropathy, claimed as due to Agent Orange exposure. The evidence did not support a finding that the veteran had such conditions and was exposed to herbicide agents during his service in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy was incurred in service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including damage to the reproductive system, ulcer, numbness in the hands, headaches, depression, skin rash, lumps on the arms, trouble sleeping, hypertension, nervous tension, and peripheral neuropathy, are not well-grounded. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service, particularly as related to exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy due to Agent Orange exposure as it is not well-grounded.

The veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 60 percent for diabetes mellitus with associated conditions prior to April 28, 1997 was denied as the evidence did not show that his manifestations warranted such a rating.

The Board denied service connection for acute and subacute peripheral neuropathy, chloracne, and PTSD due to herbicide exposure. The veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD was reopened based on new evidence.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of cold injury, finding that there is no credible evidence to support his allegation of an inservice cold injury. The veteran's current peripheral neuropathy is attributed to diabetes rather than a cold injury.

The Board has determined that the claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, including both Agent Orange exposure and Hepatitis C as a possible cause, is well-grounded. The appellant's chronic peripheral neuropathy is found to be secondary to complications from Hepatitis C, which almost certainly was contracted during his tour of duty in Vietnam.

The veteran's total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is granted.

The Board found that the veteran's current lower extremity symptoms are more consistent with a progressive peripheral neuropathy than post-polio syndrome, and denied service connection for post-polio syndrome.