Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2002

The Board has granted increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected injuries to Muscle Group VIII and right median and ulnar neuropathy, but denied a higher initial rating for his right forearm scar.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and peripheral neuropathy, as well as his claim for increased ratings for PTSD. The evidence did not establish a causal link between these conditions and his period of active duty.

The VA determined that the veteran's right eye anterior ischemic optic neuropathy did not meet the criteria for compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151, as there was no clinical confirmation of its onset resulting from VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's nonspecific idiopathic neuropathy of the lower extremities, finding that it is related to his exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The veteran's bilateral lower extremity neuropathy is not considered to be due to VA medical treatment in August 1997, and the claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for polyneuropathy, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated by service and not related to any herbicide exposure. The Board also found no evidence linking the polyneuropathy to his service-connected adenocarcinoma of the kidney.

The veteran's residuals of gunshot wound to the right thigh are currently rated at 10 percent, and his neuropathy of the medial femoral cutaneous nerve is also rated at 10 percent. The decision grants these ratings.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for sciatic neuropathy, left is denied as the current evaluation of 10 percent has been in effect for more than 20 years and there is no evidence of moderate paralysis.

The veteran's notice of disagreement was not timely filed within one year from the date of the December 1997 and January 1998 rating decisions, thus his appeal is dismissed.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for left ulnar nerve distribution neuropathy and serratus muscle damage, residuals of a shell fragment wound to the left shoulder.

The veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure was denied, and his PTSD was granted a higher evaluation from October 12, 1994.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected neuropathy of the right thigh, status post surgical resectioning of the cutaneous nerve is currently manifested by subjective accounts of pain and sensory deficit over the anterior of his right thigh but with no objective findings of paralysis, muscle atrophy, loss of reflexes, or functional loss of the affected right lower extremity. As a result, an initial compensable evaluation was not warranted.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or special home adaptation grant due to lack of evidence showing loss of use of one lower extremity without aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair.

The Board has granted increased ratings of 20 percent each for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, effective as of the date of decision.

The veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder is pending. The RO must obtain all relevant medical records and provide the veteran with a VA examination to assess his current low back and left shoulder disabilities, including their etiology and impact on his ability to work.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection, but denied some issues related to earlier effective dates.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches with teichopsia and scotoma, as well as peripheral neuropathy of the left lower leg. The evidence did not show current disabilities apart from symptoms related to service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an increased rating for his left leg shrapnel wound residuals, finding that the disability did not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board finds that the veteran's skin disease, diagnosed as chloracne due to Agent Orange exposure in service, is service-connected. The nervous disorder with memory loss, right ulnar neuropathy, left upper extremity neuropathy, impotence, and hypertension are not service-connected.