Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2002

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals of a shell fragment wound to the left wrist, including retained foreign body and ulnar neuropathy, warrant a 30 percent evaluation.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Board denied increased evaluations for the veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of both legs, finding that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of his condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that all informal and formal claims were received by the VA after March 16, 1994.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbar strain, finding that the evidence did not show pronounced intervertebral disc syndrome with persistent symptoms compatible with sciatic neuropathy.

The veteran's right and left knee patellofemoral syndromes were rated at 10 percent from February 1, 1995, to June 20, 2000. From June 20, 2000, the ratings increased to 30 percent for each knee. The duodenal ulcer was rated as 10 percent disabling since February 1, 1995. Right and left ulnar neuropathies were both rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the appellant's residuals of nodular sclerosing Hodgkin's disease, including peripheral neuropathy of the hands and feet, were incurred during active duty for training.

The Board has determined that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy was not incurred or aggravated by his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of peripheral neuropathy in all four extremities have been denied as the legal criteria are not met.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed disabilities, including atrophy, thyroid tumor, distal neural degradation, peripheral neuropathy, slowed healing, and weight loss, were not incurred in or related to his active service. The appeal was denied as there is no direct evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's principal disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his ability to care for himself without assistance from others.