Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2000

The veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 40 percent, and his service-connected neuropathies are all rated at the maximum allowable under VA rating criteria. The veteran has been found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including macular degeneration, prostate disorder, peripheral neuropathy, low back disorder, generalized arthritis, lung disorder, and impotence are not well-grounded. The evidence does not support a causal relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for left medial nerve and left ulnar nerve neuropathy, and residuals of carpal tunnel release is not well grounded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for epididymitis, prostate cancer, and acute and subacute peripheral neuropathy are not well grounded.

The veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy as a residual of exposure to Agent Orange is granted, but the effective date remains unchanged.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, finding that there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides and no medical evidence linking current peripheral neuropathy to service.

The Board granted the veteran's request for waiver of overpayment of VA vocational rehabilitation benefits, finding that the fault in creating the overpayment outweighed any fault attributed to VA.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate is denied due to his inability to meet the criteria, including having a single permanent disability rated 100% disabling.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy as secondary to a head injury, and did not address the other issues due to procedural issues.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disorder, while disabling, does not render him unemployable due to his other non-service connected conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's arthritis of the right foot, peripheral neuropathy of both feet, and fibrositis are not service-connected due to lack of medical evidence supporting these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for Crohn's disease, polyneuropathy/polyneuritis, hypertension (including a heart condition), and conjunctivitis. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected autonomic neuropathy is being remanded due to inadequate development of the record, including an incomplete VA examination.