Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2003

The veteran's PTSD and related disabilities are currently rated at the highest possible schedular evaluations, with no further increase in evaluation being granted. The effective date for the current rating is set as February 18, 1997.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence. The veteran is seeking service connection for peripheral neuropathy, which he claims is related to his in-service exposure to Agent Orange.

The veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar and thoracic spine is currently rated at 40 percent from July 11, 1996 to October 7, 1996, increased to 60 percent effective August 21, 1998.,The veteran's service-connected right lower extremity sciatic neuropathy and left lower extremity sciatic neuropathy are both rated at 20 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder and peripheral neuropathy, both claimed as secondary to Agent Orange exposure. The Board found no evidence of such conditions during service or that they are related to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a bilateral shoulder disorder, right hip disorder, blurred vision, arthritis (other than that which had already been service connected), peripheral neuropathy, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The decision also denied increased disability ratings for certain disabilities.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and no issues related to service connection were addressed.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's axonal neuropathy, finding that it is likely due to herbicide exposure in service. The claim was initially denied as presumptive under Agent Orange exposure, but the Board found that the evidence supported a direct relationship to service.

The veteran's case is being remanded for further development, including additional examinations and consideration of his claims for increased disability ratings and TDIU.

The Board has determined that the veteran's generalized demyelinating peripheral neuropathy is related to his exposure to Agent Orange during service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy was first shown many years after service and there is no causal link between this disability and any incident of active duty, to include exposure to herbicides. As a result, the claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy secondary to Agent Orange exposure was denied.

The veteran's combined disability rating is 60 percent, which does not meet the threshold requirements for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability as per VA regulations. Therefore, the claim of entitlement to a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability must be denied.

The Board found new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for peripheral neuropathy, with a diagnosis related to Agent Orange exposure. The claim is granted.

The veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities is currently rated at 20 percent prior to November 5, 2001. The Board finds that separate 20 percent ratings are warranted for each lower extremity.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence added since the SOC was issued, and the appellant is required to take no action unless otherwise notified.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic peripheral neuropathy is most likely due to his exposure to Agent Orange during service, and grants the claim for service connection.

Your appeals for service connection have been dismissed due to your failure to file a timely substantive appeal.

The Board found no evidence of current peripheral neuropathy or any other lower extremity disability related to service, including exposure to herbicides. The veteran's claim was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure, finding no evidence of a current diagnosis and noting that the condition was not shown within one year from his last exposure in Vietnam.

The VA has determined that the veteran's left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, characterized by numbness, tingling, and pain in the left foot and ankle, warrants a 30 percent disability rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for traumatic median neuropathy of the left arm and a TDIU rating, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.