Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2007

The veteran's service connection claim for residuals of a right foot injury is granted. The Board also grants an increased rating to 60 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with hyperlordosis, effective from the date of the decision.

The veteran's claims for service connection were granted, with the effective date of the grant being unknown. The conditions are related to her exposure to organophosphates during her Gulf War service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current right knee disability related to his military service and finds no evidence of a compensable cervical spine disability. The claims for depression, left arm peripheral neuropathy, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and COPD/asthma are deferred pending completion of development.

The veteran's peripheral neuropathy is not related to his military service, including as secondary to exposure to Agent Orange.

The veteran's claim for increased evaluations of diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination.

The Board found that the veteran does not have post-traumatic stress disorder, pre-existing bilateral hearing loss did not increase in severity during service, and there is no evidence of a current skin rash or peripheral neuropathy related to herbicide exposure. The veteran's pre-existing hearing impairment was considered to be aggravated by service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, a back disorder, hepatitis C, arthritis of the shoulders and hips, as well as his attempt to reopen his claim for pilonidal cysts. The evidence did not establish current disability or link these conditions to active duty service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude employment consistent with his education and occupational experience, and the claim for TDIU is denied.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need of regular aid and attendance or her housebound status is denied as she does not meet the criteria for either condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for restoration of a 10% evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for bilateral hand disability (claimed as peripheral neuropathy), and service connection for bilateral knee disability. The reduction in his hearing loss rating was upheld.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is not due to or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine strain. The claim for an increased rating for lumbar spine strain with limited motion was continued at a 20 percent disability rating.

The Board has granted effective dates of March 2, 2001 for a separate 10 percent rating for left lateral femorocutaneous neuropathy and a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected shell fragment wound of the right rhomboideus muscle and neuropathy of the right upper extremity do not warrant a disability rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetic neuropathy of both lower extremities and carpal tunnel syndrome of both upper extremities, finding that his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a request to U.S. Army and Joint Services Records Research Center (JSRRC) to investigate whether the veteran was exposed to Agent Orange at Webb Air Force Base in Texas.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current multiple joint disabilities, including rheumatoid arthritis and polyneuropathy of the hands, wrists, and elbows, are not service-connected.

The veteran's service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities due to Agent Orange exposure is granted. However, he does not have PTSD or residuals of a head injury resulting from his military service.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure and finds that it is warranted under a direct theory of entitlement.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for an etiological opinion regarding the veteran's bilateral foot disabilities, including whether his limited ankle motion pre-existed service and if it worsened during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his shell fragment wounds (SFW) residuals, finding no evidence of moderately severe muscle disability under either the old or new rating criteria.