Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2000

The Board denied the claims for extra-schedular evaluations and found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's increased rating claim for diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy was denied, and his special monthly compensation claim on account of loss of both feet with additional disabilities was also denied.

The veteran's appeal for service connection of peripheral neuropathy has been dismissed due to the death of the veteran during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board found no evidence of acute or subacute peripheral neuropathy since service and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The veteran's multiple complaints of disability were not supported by medical evidence, and his disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining substantial gainful employment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and peripheral neuropathy, finding that there was no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found no competent evidence to support the veteran's claim of service connection for chronic peripheral neuropathy, including as due to exposure to Agent Orange. The claim was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy due to exposure to Agent Orange is not well-grounded because there is no competent medical evidence demonstrating a current disability or linking it to his military service.

The Board has restored the veteran's original 50 percent evaluation for his cervical spine disability, which had been reduced to 20 percent in April 1993. The reduction was found to be improper due to insufficient examination and lack of evidence demonstrating sustained improvement.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development due to the need for a Statement of the Case on issues related to service connection on an Agent Orange basis.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including as secondary to herbicide exposure, were denied.

The Board found that the veteran did not have any conditions related to exposure to herbicides (Agent Orange) or service-connected injuries, and thus denied both claims.

The veteran's recognized active service does not include status as a POW, and there is no reasonable basis to question the finding of the service department that he was not a POW. The appeal for recognition as a former POW for VA purposes is denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral ankle disorder, PTSD, and a respiratory disorder are not well grounded. The claim for increased evaluation of arthritis of the lumbar spine is granted.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current peripheral neuropathy to service, including exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides. The claim was denied as not well grounded.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetic neuropathy of the left chest, but only at a 10 percent evaluation. The veteran is seeking an increased rating.

The veteran's claim for service connection for polyneuropathy secondary to his service-connected residuals of a head injury was denied. His claims for increased ratings for organic brain syndrome and partial motor and complex seizures were also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy, avitaminosis, and irritable bowel syndrome as presumptively incurred during the appellant's Prisoner of War status. Service connection for kidney stones was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis of the spine and hands, finding that it is at least as likely as not due to in-service trauma. The claim for peripheral neuropathy was determined to be not well grounded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for porphyria cutanea tarda and peripheral neuropathy as secondary to exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange). The evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities or a link between the conditions and service.