Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2000

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the hands, brain damage, ulcers in the mouth and on the lips, hypertension, headaches, digestive problems, dizziness and disequilibrium, and sexual problems. The denial is based on a lack of competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his period of service.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities based on a change in the regulation pertaining to presumptive disabilities for former prisoners of war. The effective date is set at October 9, 1991.

The veteran's claim for service connection for polyneuropathy is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination.

The veteran's service connection claim for peripheral neuropathy of the hands and feet was granted due to his status as a former prisoner of war (POW).

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, residuals of a head injury, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral foot deformity. The claim for increased evaluation of bronchial asthma was granted but the veteran disagreed with the assigned percentage.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease, claimed as peripheral neuropathy, is not well grounded because there is no competent evidence of a relationship between his current diagnoses and his active military service or herbicide exposure.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the feet, claiming it was due to frostbite during World War II. The evidence did not establish a link between the current condition and service.

The Board has granted a 100 percent disability rating for the veteran's diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy, and denied an increased disability rating for his hypertension.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD and granted it. The veteran's skin condition is not service-connected due to lack of evidence, and his peripheral neuropathy is also not service-connected. The low back disability remains at a 40% evaluation.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence for a psychiatric disorder, no competent evidence linking the current neurologic disorders to service, and insufficient medical records showing peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a herniated disc at L5-S1, status post diskectomy and increased evaluations for cervical spine degenerative changes with radiculitis and right shoulder bursitis. The evidence does not support a finding of a nexus between these conditions and the veteran's military service or service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating were denied. The RO requested additional medical records but did not obtain them, nor did they consider the veteran's first period of enlistment. The RO also failed to provide a VA examination for his low back disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for polyneuropathy of the lower extremities due to herbicide exposure and for a chronic lung condition (to include bronchitis). The decision found that there was no evidence of a nexus between the current conditions and active service, nor any evidence of herbicide exposure. As such, the veteran's claims were not well-grounded.

The veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, peripheral neuropathy, muscle neuralgia, and jungle rot of the feet are granted due to exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The veteran has a diagnosed PTSD related to his military service. Peripheral neuropathy, muscle neuralgia, and jungle rot of the feet are presumed to be caused by herbicide exposure.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy and malignant melanoma, both secondary to inservice exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange).,For peripheral neuropathy, the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection due to lack of in-service diagnosis or treatment. The claim was instead based on presumed service connection under Agent Orange Act provisions.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection were not well-grounded and denied them.

The veteran's claim for waiver of recovery of an overpayment of improved disability pension benefits was denied because the Board found that there was a considerable degree of fault on the part of the veteran in creating the overpayment by failing to report his Civil Service annuity. Recovery would not be against the principle of equity and good conscience.

The veteran's service-connected neuropathy of the saphenous vein is currently rated at 10 percent, and no higher. The scars are not compensable under current criteria. The arterial graft of the left popliteal area has a current rating of 10 percent, effective January 24, 1997.,Prior to May 3, 1999, the veteran's service-connected left knee disability was rated at 30 percent under Diagnostic Code 5257. From May 3, 1999, it is rated at 60 percent.

The veteran's claim for melioidosis is not well grounded as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,The veteran's claims for peripheral neuropathy and a skin disorder claimed as boils and fungus are well grounded, with diagnoses made and a private physician linking them to in-service herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals of frozen feet did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to January 12, 1998. Separate evaluations for peripheral neuropathy with onychomycosis were assigned effective from January 12, 1998.