Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2000

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy as secondary to Agent Orange exposure and PTSD, finding that the evidence was not well-grounded.

The Board denied the claim for service connection of left median neuropathy, which was claimed as secondary to service-connected left ulnar neuropathy. The evidence did not support a relationship between the veteran's service-connected left ulnar neuropathy and his current left median neuropathy.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, PTSD, and tinnitus. The claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder (claimed as dysthymia and PTSD) was considered on a de novo basis. Service connection for chronic low back pain was granted with a 10% evaluation. The veteran's left inguinal hernia and eye disorder claims were denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for right ulnar neuropathy and denied an increased rating for partial left facial numbness. The issue of a compensable evaluation for the fracture of the left lateral malleolus remains pending.

The Board found the veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of upper and lower extremities to be well grounded. However, it denied reopening his claim for a skin condition due to Agent Orange exposure as no new and material evidence was submitted.

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

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for his service-connected low back pain syndrome and denied service connection for lumbar spine facet degenerative changes with bilateral sciatic neuropathy, finding that the current symptoms were not caused by his service-connected disability.

The veteran's initial evaluations for residuals of x-ray therapy with a dry mouth and trigeminal neuropathy affecting the right eye were granted, but both conditions received lower initial ratings than requested. The decision is mixed as one issue was granted while another was denied.

The Board found that the veteran's residuals of frostbite (trenchfoot) warrant a combined 40 percent rating from January 12, 1998, based on separate 20 percent ratings for right foot peripheral neuropathy and a 10 percent rating for left foot peripheral neuropathy in addition to previously assigned 10 percent ratings for frostbite of each foot.

The Board found that the claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy is not well grounded due to a lack of competent medical evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, soft tissue sarcoma, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, degenerative joint disease of both hips, disability of both shoulders, and neck disability are not well-grounded. The Board has denied these claims previously.

The Board found that the veteran's chloracne, a condition presumed to be caused by exposure to herbicides in Vietnam, is service-connected. However, there was insufficient evidence linking his peripheral neuropathy to active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for residuals of left ulnar nerve surgery and stomach surgery performed at VA facilities, finding no additional disability resulting from these surgeries.

The Board has found that the veteran's residuals of frozen feet, including peripheral neuropathy, were incurred in active wartime service and granted service connection for these conditions. The issue of generalized arthritis as a result of cold injury is pending due to the need for issuance of a Statement of the Case.

The veteran's right shoulder and arm conditions are rated at the maximum available rating, with no additional benefits for adaptive equipment.

The veteran's claim for service connection for neuropathy of the left lower extremity, which is secondary to his service-connected residuals of a shell fragment wound (SFW) of the left ankle, has been remanded due to additional evidence submitted after a May 1999 video hearing. The RO will consider this new evidence and determine if it supports granting or denying the claim.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected condition, and thus denied both his claim for service connection for the cause of death and his DIC claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral foot condition and cerebellar degeneration with polyneuropathy are not well grounded. The evidence does not support a finding of direct or secondary service connection.

The veteran's current diagnosed residuals of cold injury to the feet and legs are found to be due to a cold injury in service, thus service connection is granted.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for secondary service connection for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine and entrapment ulnar neuropathy at the left elbow, as secondary to a service-connected left knee disability, are not well grounded.