Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2003

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of frostbite and peripheral neuropathy, finding that the veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service cold injury. The mental disorder claim is addressed separately.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus and associated peripheral neuropathy of the feet have been granted an initial evaluation of 20 percent, effective April 12, 2001.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his statement withdrawing the appeal.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a cold weather injury to both feet, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy and/or vascular disease involving the lower extremities. The claim for service connection for hemorrhoids was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence. The case is now remanded for the specified actions.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues regarding the veteran's left hand neuropathy. The case is now being sent back for additional evidence and a new evaluation.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of diabetes mellitus with diabetic retinopathy, early cataracts, and peripheral neuropathy were granted effective from July 10, 1991.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected right femoral neuropathy.

The Board found that the veteran's current peripheral neuropathy is not related to his service-connected right knee disability and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's right upper extremity neuropathy due to disc disease at C5 and C6 is rated at the maximum schedular rating of 70 percent, reflecting severe paralysis. The veteran's degenerative arthritis and disc disease at C5-C6 are also rated at the maximum schedular rating of 30 percent.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected residuals of a whiplash injury of the cervical spine with right upper extremity neuropathy is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and therefore, service connection for this condition cannot be granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's currently diagnosed peripheral neuropathy is at least as likely as not related to his participation in an intravenous radiation experiment or study conducted by VA in 1951, and thus warrants compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, finding that there was no evidence of a link between his current condition and his presumed exposure to Agent Orange during his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral foot disorders. The Board finds it at least as likely as not that these conditions are related to the appellant's military service.

The Board has remanded the case to address concerns regarding VA treatment records and other potential sources of evidence, including collateral sources of medical evidence.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his VA medical records and an orthopedic and neurological examination to determine the extent of any additional disability resulting from a decompression of the medial nerve procedure in October 1984, as well as the severity of his service-connected left olecranon fracture with postoperative traumatic arthritic changes and ulnar neuropathy.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of her service-connected residuals of cold injury to both feet and fracture, left fourth toe were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has granted a 40 percent evaluation for service-connected right arm neuropathy, effective from August 9, 1990.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for a back disability, right shoulder disability, residuals of dental trauma, and prostate disorder due to exposure to Agent Orange. The claim of service connection for peripheral neuropathy remains denied as no new evidence was submitted that would warrant reopening.