Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that the veteran's lower extremity disorder, including weakness and peripheral neuropathy, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may it be presumed to have been so incurred.

The veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is rated at 50% since July 20, 2006. His neuropathy of the left leg was initially rated at 10%, but now rated at 20%. Both conditions are currently granted.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including arthritis of the shoulders and elbows, DDD of the cervical spine, degenerative changes status post laminectomy of the lumbar spine, peripheral neuropathy of all extremities, a bladder disorder, migraine headaches, and a psychiatric disorder. The evidence did not support a finding of exposure to ionizing radiation during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy and PTSD. The decision on peripheral neuropathy was based on a lack of evidence linking it to service or herbicide exposure, while the PTSD claim was denied as new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of Type II diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the right arm and leg, or an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The evidence is insufficient to establish service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected myofasciitis of the left arm and cervical strain with neuropathy, as well as a compensable rating for benign esophageal polyp. The appeal was based on evidence showing no significant impairment in range of motion or neurological function.

The VA determined that the veteran's left hand sensory and motor neuropathy, which is currently rated at 40 percent, does not warrant an increased rating.

The veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities was not incurred or aggravated in service, nor is it presumed due to herbicide exposure. The Board denied service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's initial evaluation for pain disorder from September 30, 2003 was granted. Service connection for chronic headaches and bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities were denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection for polyneuropathy is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and obtaining relevant medical records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his military service and denied all claims for increased evaluations. The right knee arthritis is found to be productive of painful motion, warranting a separate 10 percent evaluation.

The veteran is seeking to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for peripheral neuropathy, which was previously denied in May 1994. The RO needs to provide proper notice regarding the evidence and information needed to reopen the claim and establish service connection.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity, was denied as the evidence did not support a finding of moderate incomplete paralysis.,Service connection for irritable bowel syndrome was also denied due to lack of current diagnosis and no evidence linking symptoms to service.

The veteran's ulnar neuropathy and carpal tunnel syndrome of the right hand are rated at 50 percent, while his left hand is rated at 40 percent. Both conditions are considered to be due to service-connected injuries.

The veteran's claims for increased rating for Addison's disease, service connection for peripheral neuropathy, and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for Addison's disease due to lack of documented crises, and there was no service connection established for peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions and records to determine if the veteran's peripheral neuropathy is related to his military service, specifically exposure to herbicides such as Agent Orange in Vietnam.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such severity as to render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, and the criteria for a TDIU have been met.

The Board has determined that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy, diverticulitis, and respiratory condition are not service-connected. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected right arm disabilities, finding that the current ratings adequately compensate for his functional loss and weakness. The case is now referred to the Under Secretary for Benefits or the Director, Compensation and Pension Service for consideration of an extraschedular rating.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for her service-connected mandibular neuropathy and bilateral knee disabilities were denied. The RO found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation for any of these conditions.