Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2004

The veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a heart disorder as a result of treatment at a VA Medical Center in March 1999 was denied because the evidence did not show that his disability resulted from carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault on the part of the VA.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, assigning a noncompensable evaluation effective from January 2003. The veteran's symptoms include numbness and tingling in his feet.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for compliance with legal provisions on the VA's duty to notify the veteran and for attempts to obtain SSA records. The claim will be reviewed again after these actions.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's right shoulder disability and neuropathy of the right ulnar and median nerves, as both conditions are currently rated at 30 percent.

The veteran is seeking compensation under the 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for ulnar neuropathy, right upper extremity, resulting from a June 1997 VA surgery. The case has been remanded due to procedural deficiencies and additional development is required.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected right elbow disability, characterized by limitation of motion and decreased grip strength without neurological impairment, does not warrant a rating in excess of 60 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for peripheral neuropathy, finding no evidence of such condition and noting that it is not among the presumptive diseases associated with Agent Orange exposure.

The veteran's claims for service connection for dermatitis, peripheral neuropathy, and PTSD are being remanded due to the need for compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA). The RO must ensure that all VCAA notice and development obligations have been satisfied. A VA psychiatric examination is also required.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for a Travel Board hearing at the RO, and then returned to the Board for final review.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and numbness of the hands as peripheral neuropathy, finding no evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the veteran's claims, including obtaining medical opinions and evidence. The RO will then re-evaluate the claims in light of all pertinent evidence.

The VA has granted a 30 percent evaluation for the veteran's migraine headaches, which have been characterized as prostrating attacks occurring on average once per month over the last several months.

The veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for neuropathy of the right thigh, status post surgical resectioning of the cutaneous nerve is being remanded due to a failure to provide proper notice and obtain necessary medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for further development, including obtaining additional medical evidence and scheduling VA examinations.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity, currently evaluated at 20 percent.

The veteran withdrew his appeal of the issues of service connection for residuals of a cold injury, including peripheral neuropathy and circulatory disturbance, and the initial rating of 10 percent for residuals of a left foot injury prior to the Board's decision.

The veteran seeks service connection for type II diabetes mellitus with neuropathy as a result of exposure to herbicides in the Republic of Vietnam. The case is being remanded due to incomplete information and the need for additional development.

The veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The RO found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen his previously denied gastrointestinal disability claim, and the denial of hepatitis was final.

The veteran is seeking service connection for peripheral neuropathy that he claims is related to his service-connected type 2 diabetes mellitus. The case has been remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination.

The veteran was granted special monthly compensation benefits based on being housebound, with one disability rated as 100 percent disabling and others in combination rated at 60 percent or more. The effective date is not specified because the claim is for accrued benefits purposes.