Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2003

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues and remanded the case back to the RO for additional medical review. The veteran's claim of service connection for peripheral neuropathy is now with the RO for further consideration.

The veteran's appeal for an increased initial rating for service-connected right knee disability has been withdrawn. The Board also dismissed the claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, as there is no current evidence of this condition.

The veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy with Raynaud's syndrome of the left and right legs is currently rated at 20 percent, which corresponds to moderate incomplete paralysis. The evidence does not support a higher rating as there is no objective evidence of muscle atrophy, complete paralysis of the sciatic nerve, loss of active movement of the muscles below the knee, or ulcerations or autoamputations of the digits.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for medical records and a VA examination.

The veteran's Guillain-Barre syndrome was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not related to exposure to Agent Orange. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches, rheumatoid arthritis of multiple joints including the back, neck, and bilateral knees, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and peripheral neuropathy. The decision found that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence to rebut the presumption of soundness at entry into service, but also found that the veteran's conditions did not pre-exist service or were aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional relevant evidence submitted by the appellant and the need for compliance with VCAA provisions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current lateral femoral cutaneous neuropathy of the left leg and thigh is reasonably associated with her period of active duty, granting service connection for this condition.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board denied service connection for a right hand disability involving the ring and little fingers, but granted it. Service connection was also denied for peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy and an earlier effective date for PTSD. The veteran is not entitled to service connection for peripheral neuropathy as it was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The veteran is seeking service connection for peripheral neuropathy, which he claims is related to his military service and exposure to Agent Orange. The Board has determined that additional development is necessary due to changes in the law.

The Board found that the appellant does not have peripheral neuropathy and denied his claim for service connection, as there is no competent evidence of a current disability.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy, finding that the veteran's current condition is due to toxin exposure during service, specifically Agent Orange and jet fuel exposure.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and for a fractured right hip.

The Board has ordered further development in your case, including obtaining medical records and arranging for examinations to assess the severity of your service-connected disabilities. The appeal is currently pending due to this additional development.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the left wrist condition, finding it more severe than currently evaluated. The right wrist condition remains at its current 50 percent rating.

The veteran's service-connected left wrist conditions, including residuals of a carpal scaphoid fracture and left median nerve neuropathy, are currently rated at 20 percent for the former and 10 percent for the latter. The RO has granted increased ratings for both issues.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary and the case is REMANDED to the RO for further actions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his active duty service and have denied all of his claims.