Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2008

The Board denied service connection for nerve damage, left ulnar neuropathy, anxiety, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, type II, as these conditions are not shown to be related to the veteran's active service or a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected diabetes mellitus and lower extremity polyneuropathy, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA's rating schedule.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, which is etiologically related to active service. Therefore, service connection for a psychiatric disorder was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the four extremities and erectile dysfunction as secondary to the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the veteran's complaints of numbness and tingling in his upper and lower extremities, which have persisted since a vehicle accident in service, are attributable to diagnosed bilateral axonal neuropathy of the ulnar nerve and bilateral demyelinating neuropathy of the peroneal nerve. The Board finds continuity of symptomatology and grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy is caused by his exposure to jet fuel during service, and therefore grants the claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected left hand median/ulnar neuropathy is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of DeLuca factors.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for spondylolysis with postoperative fusion of L5-S1 was denied. The RO assigned a 40 percent rating for right lower extremity neuropathy with foot drop prior to September 23, 2002 and a 20 percent rating for mesenteric venous thrombosis with necrosis of the small bowel status post-operatively.,The veteran's spondylolysis with postoperative fusion of L5-S1 was rated at 60 percent since its inception. The RO assigned a separate 40 percent rating for right lower extremity neuropathy with foot drop prior to September 23, 2002 and a 20 percent rating for mesenteric venous thrombosis with necrosis of the small bowel status post-operatively.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities warrants a 10 percent disability rating, as per Diagnostic Code 8515.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current peripheral neuropathy with bilateral foot drop is not related to his active military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy in the feet and legs, claimed as due to exposure to lead based paint. The decision is based on a direct service connection theory without any presumption or secondary linkage.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for subacute peripheral neuropathy and chloracne, both of which he claimed were related to his military service exposure to Agent Orange. The Board found no current diagnoses of these conditions in the medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity and a muscle condition, effective from the date of receipt of the claims. The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date remains pending.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a cold injury to the feet and polyneuropathy of both lower extremities, finding that there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for dizziness, peripheral neuropathy, and benign prostatic hypertrophy. Service connection was granted for left ear hearing loss.

The veteran's claims for bilateral hallux valgus, residuals of a back injury, sensory peripheral neuropathy, and nervous twitches were denied as new and material evidence was not received. The claim for PTSD resulted in a full grant of benefits.

The veteran's service connection claims for right forearm, hand peripheral neuropathy and chronic gastritis were granted with initial evaluations of 10 percent. Service connection was also granted for bilateral pes planus with a non-compensable evaluation. The low back disability and irritable bowel syndrome claims are pending.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder and peripheral neuropathy, both claimed as secondary to herbicide exposure. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service disease or injury that could be linked to these conditions.

The veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, vision loss, peripheral neuropathy, and kidney disorder are remanded due to the need to determine if he was exposed to Agent Orange during his service in Vietnam.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, and his diabetic neuropathy of the right lower extremity is rated at 10 percent.,Both conditions are not shown to warrant higher ratings.