Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2002

The January 1991 VA surgical procedures which resulted in loss of use of both lower extremities due to peripheral neuropathy are not causally related to the veteran's death in October 1995 due to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus and tobacco abuse as conditions contributing to death.

The Board denied an increased rating for a tender and painful scar on the left tibia, finding that the condition did not meet criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board found that the veteran's cardiovascular disability was not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service and denied service connection. The veteran does not have a current peripheral neuropathy disability.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection on all issues related to the veteran's end-stage renal disease and its complications, finding that no new evidence had been submitted to warrant such changes.

The veteran's disabilities, while rated as 90 percent combined, do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance of another person or being housebound.

The Board found that the veteran's digestive system disorder, cervical spine and shoulder disorders, thoracic spine disorder, and urinary and fecal incontinence and erectile dysfunction were not incurred or aggravated by military service and are not proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disease or injury.

The veteran's claim for service connection of peripheral neuropathy as secondary to Agent Orange exposure is being remanded due to the introduction of new law regarding presumptive service connection for diabetes mellitus, which may affect his case.

The Board found that the veteran's cause of death, acute peripheral neuropathy, was not related to his service-connected peripheral neuropathy.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Board granted a 10 percent rating for left ulnar neuropathy, secondary to the service-connected left shoulder disorder. The increased rating for post-operative left shoulder disability was not addressed in this decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy was incurred during his active military service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the appellant's spinal cord injury with neuropathy of both legs was incurred during service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board found that peripheral neuropathy was not incurred in or aggravated by the veteran's active duty service and denied his claim for service connection. The low back disability, rated as 50 percent disabling, was also denied an increased evaluation.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, attributing it to a lack of evidence showing its onset during or as a result of his military service, including exposure to Agent Orange.

The VA denied a higher evaluation for the veteran's service-connected right index finger condition, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection due to a clear and unmistakable error in the October 1981 rating decision continuing denial of service connection for transverse myelitis. The evidence at that time did not support reopening the claim based on new and material evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left arm neuropathy and hypertension, as well as his requests for increased evaluations. The decision found that the veteran's current conditions were not related to his service-connected conditions.

The VA denied the claim that the veteran's service-connected conditions contributed to his death. The Board found no evidence linking any of the veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his hearing loss and tinnitus, to his death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy and for reopening his claim of entitlement to service connection for a right eye disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for multiple joint arthritis and peripheral neuropathy as secondary to a service-connected disability, finding that there was no evidence of diagnosis or treatment in service or within one year after service. The Board also found that current conditions were not related to any service-connected disabilities.