Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2002

The Board found that there is no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's current disabilities to his service, specifically a cold injury or frostbite. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy as secondary to the veteran's service-connected bilateral hammertoes of the left foot.

The veteran does not have any residual conditions related to frostbite, fungus infection of the feet and hands, or yellow fever that are attributable to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by service and not linked to herbicide exposure.

The Board found that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy is related to a motor vehicle accident during service, and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted the veteran's applications to reopen his claims of service connection for low back disorders and polyneuropathy as a result of petroleum poisoning. The Board also found that these conditions are related to military service or an already service-connected disability.

The veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities was granted effective from March 13, 1995. She also received special monthly compensation based on loss of use of both feet and additional service-connected disabilities rated at least 50 percent disabling since that date.

The Board has granted service connection for recurrent dyshydrotic eczema and denied a compensable evaluation for numbness of the right thigh due to neuropathy of the lateral cutaneous nerve.

The veteran's current peripheral neuropathy was incurred during active service and is related to exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam.

The Board found that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein due to exposure to Agent Orange. The claim for service connection is denied.

The VA determined that the veteran's current left hand problems were not caused by the 1992 surgery, and thus denied compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for peripheral neuropathy.

The veteran's appeal for restoration of service connection for neuropathy of the buttocks and lower extremities due to surgeries for pilonidal cysts has been dismissed. The appeals for initial ratings in excess of 10 percent from April 14, 1997, to February 1, 2001, for neuropathy of the right and left buttocks and legs have also been denied.

The Board found that the veteran's service in Vietnam was not confirmed, and thus his exposure to Agent Orange could not be conceded. The evidence did not indicate any exposure to Agent Orange during service or at any other time. As such, chronic peripheral neuropathy was denied as not incurred in or due to service.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent, and his diabetic neuropathy of the feet does not warrant a compensable rating. Service connection for a chronic low back disability was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected pes planus, right foot, finding that it is currently manifested by complaints of pain but without clinical evidence of marked deformity or swelling.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation by reason of need for regular aid and attendance or being permanently housebound.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such severity as to preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment, and the Board has determined that he meets the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him bedridden or unable to care for his daily personal needs, and thus he does not qualify for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or by reason of being housebound due to disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic peripheral neuropathy was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and may not be presumed due to exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange). The evidence does not establish a direct link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board found no evidence of current disabilities related to the veteran's service, thus denying all claims for service connection.