Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2002

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, a chronic liver condition (including hepatitis C), and a skin condition, all claimed as resulting from exposure to herbicides. The evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities or causation.

The Board found that the veteran's current conditions, including scleroderma and peripheral neuropathy, were not incurred in or aggravated by his active military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's neuropathy, left dorsal antebrachial cutaneous nerve warrants a 40 percent rating based on current findings of mild impairment of motor strength in the left thumb and episodes of aching pain in the left arm and hand after prolonged use. The diagnosis includes diffuse impairment of sensation in the left hand, forearm, and upper arm resulting from mild incomplete paralysis of the radial, median, ulnar, and musculocutaneous nerves.

The veteran's PTSD and other service-connected conditions have not met the criteria for higher ratings during the specified periods. The neuropathy of the left laryngeal nerve is noncompensable, and there is no evidence that his unemployability due to service-connected disabilities warrants a total rating.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy as a result of exposure to herbicides, finding no evidence linking the condition to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected hypertension, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claims for service connection for liver disability and peripheral neuropathy were denied as there was no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after his military service, and the Board found that they are not related to herbicide exposure.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for neuropathy of the left scapular nerve, finding that his disability picture more nearly approximates a 30 percent evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for dermatitis and peripheral neuropathy, both claimed as a result of exposure to Agent Orange. The evidence submitted since the previous decisions did not provide new or material evidence to support these claims.

The Board found that the veteran does not have an allergy disability or left arm neuropathy attributable to military service, and denied his claims for these conditions. The gastrointestinal disability was currently manifested by mild hepatitis C with no more than moderate liver damage and disabling recurrent episodes of gastrointestinal disturbance.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected post-operative residuals of a left hand and wrist injury with left median neuropathy do not warrant a rating greater than 10 percent, as there is no evidence of ankylosis or current neuropathy.

The Board denied reopening the claims for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities warrants initial noncompensable ratings, but not higher.

The veteran's service-connected residuals of a shell fragment wound to the right arm are currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The RO has granted separate service connection for superficial posterior cutaneous neuropathy of the right arm, which is also assigned a 10 percent evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, finding it proximately due to or the result of the veteran's service-connected bilateral tarsal tunnel syndrome. Service connection was denied for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities as there is no evidence that it is related to service.

The veteran's hospitalization from March 1-31, 1995 was not for a service-connected disability and did not involve treatment of any service-connected condition for more than 21 days.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for ulnar nerve neuropathy of the right upper extremity, currently rated at 30 percent.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for the veteran's lumbosacral spine disorder, effective from July 1993. The claim for peripheral neuropathy was reopened and service connection was established.

The veteran's claimed conditions, including peripheral neuropathy, circulatory problems, arthritis (in the hands, arms, shoulders, hips, knees, and ankles), and a fungal infection of the feet, were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

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