Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2000

The veteran's claims for service connection for gynecomastia with mastectomy of the left breast, pancreatic cyst, gastrointestinal bleeding, and peripheral neuropathy were denied as not well grounded due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service or Agent Orange exposure.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of DeLuca v. Brown factors.

The Board found that the appellant's peripheral neuropathy is not shown to be proximately due to or caused by Agent Orange exposure in service.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for service connection for acute/subacute peripheral neuropathy due to Agent Orange exposure is not well grounded. The claim for an increased rating for PTSD was denied as there was no evidence of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of frostbite of the feet is well grounded, and therefore grants the claim.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a liver disorder, skin condition and hair loss, and peripheral neuropathy due to Agent Orange exposure were denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence, as well as his requests for increased evaluations. The claims were not reopened because no new and material evidence was presented. The veteran's PTSD claim remains at 30%.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for various conditions, including a scar on his forehead, mononeuropathy and atrophy of the right lower extremity, and perforation of the left tympanic membrane. The issues are related to direct service connection without any presumption or secondary basis.

The veteran's peptic disease is not service-connected as it does not stem from his service-connected disabilities or any injury incurred in service.,There is no evidence of a hole in the nasal passage due to a broken nose. The veteran's perforated septum is presumed to be related to head trauma, which occurred during service.,The veteran's peripheral polyneuropathy is not service-connected as it did not manifest within one year after his last day of service in Vietnam and does not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to Agent Orange exposure. The claim is denied.,The veteran has a history of skin conditions, including fungus infections on the penis and arms/neck. His skin conditions are presumed to be related to his service in Vietnam.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for service-connected postoperative residuals of fracture of C-3, with neuropathy, was granted in March 1998, effective from November 18, 1996. The effective date is now set to January 6, 1995.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy is not well-grounded and therefore denied.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of a shell fragment wound of the left lower extremity with peroneal neuropathy is denied as his disability does not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete medical evidence regarding the etiology of the appellant's axonal demyelinating neuropathy.

The veteran's claim for special monthly compensation on account of the need for regular aid and attendance was denied as his disabilities do not meet the criteria for such benefits.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of anxiety disorder with PTSD and traumatic arthritis of the left knee, as well as his claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy were denied. The claim for service connection for dermatitis was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for post traumatic left fifth finger neuropathy is denied as the condition does not meet criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy and a back disorder, finding that his claim was not well-grounded. The right knee disability claim is also denied.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and denied service connection for hearing loss. The rating for left wrist fusion was increased to 30 percent, effective from November 1, 1995.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating have been denied.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were granted, with a rating of 30 percent assigned for the period prior to February 6, 1999, and an additional 10 percent for the scar associated with the right ankle. The claim for traumatic neuropathy of the left sural nerve was not timely filed.