Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2004

The Board found that the veteran's current conditions are as likely as not related to his service, specifically cold injuries sustained during active duty in Antarctica. The decision grants service connection for residuals of frostbite.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with fatigue and memory loss, headaches, and the veteran's Gulf War exposure. Service connection was denied for peripheral neuropathy or neurological symptoms of the lower extremities due to an undiagnosed illness and residuals of a left inguinal hernia.

The veteran is seeking earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities. The case is being remanded to address these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic bronchitis warrants a 100% evaluation, while his status post right arm gunshot wound with ulnar and medial nerve neuropathy and right hand weakness is rated at 30%. The RO will grant an increased rating to 100% for chronic bronchitis.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions and additional evidence to determine if the veteran's peripheral neuropathy is related to his service-connected back injury or other conditions.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete development and procedural defects. The issues of service connection for chronic peripheral neuropathy claimed as secondary to Agent Orange exposure, and PTSD are pending.

The Board has granted a continuous 20 percent evaluation for left median nerve neuropathy and a continuous 20 percent evaluation for left ulnar nerve neuropathy, effective from the date of the decision.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for peripheral neuropathy of his left upper and lower extremities, as well as right lower extremity. The RO found that the current 10 percent evaluations adequately reflected the severity of the veteran's symptoms.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease and finds that new evidence supports this reopening. The Board also notes that the veteran's lower extremity peripheral neuropathy may be related to his diabetes mellitus, but further examination is needed to determine if it began during service or is otherwise service-connected.

The veteran's low back disability was granted a 40 percent rating, effective September 23, 2002. His peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities were each granted a 20 percent rating, also effective September 23, 2002.

The veteran's appeal for an increased rating of PTSD was denied, and the issue of secondary service connection for sensory motor neuropathy remains pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the left foot, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty or service-connected diabetes mellitus. The prostate cancer claim was granted with a noncompensable rating effective in August 2003.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient medical evidence to decide the claim of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy secondary to a left thoracotomy.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a finger injury, essential hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy (claimed as due to herbicide exposure). The veteran's claims were not supported by the evidence showing no in-service injuries or diagnoses related to these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for ulnar neuropathy of the left arm and assigned a 20% rating, effective November 29, 1956. The effective date was determined based on receipt of the original claim.

The Board found that the veteran's peripheral vascular disease and peripheral neuropathy were not present during or within one year of service, and there is no medical evidence linking either condition to service. The preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that the veteran's service-connected low back disability has caused or aggravated these conditions.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to procedural deficiencies and the need for additional medical examinations.

The veteran's service-connected traumatic ulnar neuropathy and residual scar are considered, but further development is needed to determine if he is unemployable due to these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus due to exposure to herbicide agents and a 10% evaluation for traumatic amputation of the left fifth finger effective December 31, 2002. The earlier effective date claim is denied.