Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2002

The Board has determined that the veteran's right carpal tunnel syndrome and median and ulnar neuropathy, claimed as weakness in the right hand, are not related to his service-connected disability of residuals of injury of the right scapula.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, which they determined constituted an undiagnosed illness or a medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date than April 14, 2000 for grants of service connection and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The decision found that no earlier effective date was warranted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disability, characterized by minimal narrowing of the left C3-4 foramen and associated symptoms, warrants a 20 percent evaluation. The thoracic spine issue is denied as there is no current evidence of a disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for back disorder, right leg disorder, progressive polyneuropathy of the left leg, and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. The appeals were based on direct service connection.

The veteran's PTSD was granted service connection. For his peripheral neuropathy and plantar fibromatosis, the VA determined that these conditions were not caused by negligence or other fault on their part.

The Board has determined that the appellant's peripheral neuropathy of both upper and lower extremities is related to cold weather exposure during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the appellant's claim of service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that while COPD was related to tobacco use in service, it did not materially contribute to his death. The primary cause of death was determined to be aspiration pneumonia due to an intracerebral hemorrhage.

The Board found that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy was caused by exposure to Agent Orange in service, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the veteran.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for neuropathy/carpal tunnel syndrome, a low back disorder, and bilateral knee disorder. The claim for bilateral foot disorder was not well grounded as it was not related to any other condition already granted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, finding that no more than mild incomplete paralysis is shown. The veteran was not granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability as his combined service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of his death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected disabilities, and therefore denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, finding that his symptoms of numbness in the extremities were chronic in service and have resulted in a currently diagnosed disability. The decision is based on direct service connection due to symptomatology present during active duty.

The VA determined that the veteran's chronic lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes and left knee neuropathy and arthralgia does not warrant a disability evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, coronary artery disease, and peripheral neuropathy. The decision also found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim of PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including a skin disorder, peripheral neuropathy involving all extremities, osteoarthritis involving all joints, residuals of multiple back surgeries for degenerative disc disease, residuals of right shoulder surgery, residuals of left ankle surgery, stroke, lipoma of the left side, and depression, are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a direct connection to his military service or exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board found that the veteran's back and hip/leg conditions did not develop during service or within one year of separation, and are not related to his military service.

The Board has granted an initial evaluation of 40 percent for diabetes mellitus, and separate evaluations of 10 percent each for diabetic neuropathy of the right lower extremity, left lower extremity, right upper extremity, and left upper extremity. Separate evaluations of 10 percent each have been granted for diabetic retinopathy of the right eye and left eye.

The VA has determined that the veteran's degenerative disk disease at L5-S1 without herniation currently results in moderate limitation of motion, warranting a 20 percent rating.