Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2003

The veteran's low back and cervical spine disabilities, as well as his nerve disorder (including peripheral neuropathy and carpal tunnel syndrome), were not found to be related to service or exposure to chemical herbicides. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and thus granted secondary service connection for this condition. The issue of increased evaluation for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was also addressed.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection due to new evidence linking the veteran's peripheral neuropathy to his exposure to Agent Orange during service. The Board finds that it is at least as likely as not that the veteran's condition was caused by this exposure.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the July 1946 rating decision that assigned a 10 percent evaluation for the veteran's residuals of trench feet. The veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and Raynaud's syndrome are currently pending.

The Board found that the claimant does not currently have any neurologic dysfunction, and thus denied service connection for traumatic neuropathy of the right anterior femoral cutaneous nerve.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current right lower extremity disabilities, including neuropathy and chronic venous stasis with venous insufficiency, are as likely as not related to his frostbite injury sustained during active service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities were denied. The RO granted a rating in excess of 20 percent for chronic lumbosacral strain from December 12, 1995 to December 10, 2002, but denied the claim for increased ratings for this disability and service connection for peripheral neuropathy since it was not related to his active service. The veteran's bilateral plantar warts were granted an increased rating.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues and is remanding the case back to the RO for additional consideration.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected residuals of a left leg bone graft do not warrant a compensable disability evaluation due to the absence of any functional limitation attributable to the scar or as the result of the original bone graft.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, finding that there was no evidence linking the condition to his active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy and remanded the issue of an increased rating for low back disorder.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The RO also denied his request for vocational rehabilitation benefits.

The veteran's service-connected sensory/motor polyneuropathy of the right foot and left foot, as well as his residuals of a tibial sesamoidectomy and partial metatarsectomy of the 5th metatarsal with hallux valgus and pes planus in both feet, have been granted increased ratings to 20 percent each.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence and clarification of the evidence. The case is now being returned to the RO for the requested development, including obtaining service personnel records and arranging for medical examinations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's case requires additional development due to issues related to his claims for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance, and housebound benefit. The case is being remanded to allow for further examination and consideration of the evidence.

The Board has ordered further development in your case due to the need for additional evidence. Your right knee disability and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy claims are being remanded for additional development.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent disabling prior to April 1998, with a temporary total rating starting from April 16, 1998. The other issues remain pending.

The veteran's claim for service connection for polyneuropathy is being remanded to the RO for additional development and compliance with VCAA requirements.

The veteran's spondylosis of the lumbosacral spine is rated at 40 percent, effective January 1, 2003. The initial rating for type II diabetes mellitus has been granted and assigned a 20 percent rating, effective July 5, 2001. Separate ratings have also been granted for various disabilities associated with the veteran's diabetes mellitus.

The veteran's claims for service connection for nonspecific polyneuropathy (claimed as a bilateral foot disability and bilateral lower extremity disability) and low back disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.