Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2011

The Board found no current residuals of frostbite in the Veteran's hands, but granted service connection for sensory peripheral neuropathy of both feet. The decision is mixed as it grants one issue and denies another.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and correctly decide the Veteran's claims, including service connection for PTSD. The case is therefore being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the feet was not incurred or aggravated in service and is not proximately due to, or the result of, his service-connected left peroneal neuropathy.

The Veteran's Type II Diabetes Mellitus and peripheral neuropathy are found to be related to his service exposure to herbicides, specifically Agent Orange. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the upper, lower right, and left extremities have been remanded multiple times. The VA Appeals Management Center (AMC) has now granted a 20% rating for each affected extremity in November 2010. However, as the Veteran passed away during the appeal process, his claims are dismissed.

The Board found that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for small fiber neuropathy, polyneuropathy, or carpal tunnel syndrome. The evidence submitted since the last denial does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's sciatic neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities has not been manifested by moderate incomplete paralysis, warranting a 10 percent rating. Therefore, his claims for increased ratings are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a right wrist fracture are rated at 10 percent for limitation of motion, and he is granted a separate rating of 30 percent for his right median neuropathy as a residual of the wrist fracture.

The Veteran's gait ataxia and neuropathy are being remanded for clarification of the VA examiner's opinion regarding their relationship to service, specifically whether they are related to Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of his lower extremities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Veteran's service-connected neuropathy of the right wrist, index finger, and thumb is granted as secondary to his service-connected residuals of right (dominant) thumb dislocation. The claim for an increased rating for status post right thumb dislocation remains pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnosed peripheral neuropathy in his lower extremities is not related to service, including exposure to Agent Orange. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the left hand has been denied. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating prior to July 16, 2008, or for a rating in excess of 10 percent from July 16, 2008 to December 3, 2009, and it does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 40 percent since December 3, 2009.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the criteria for a TDIU have not been met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for further medical examination and opinion regarding his diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy, as well as a TDIU issue. The case will be returned to the RO/AMC for further adjudication.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of his upper extremities, finding that it is directly related to his military service and specifically to his exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for DM with ED, peripheral neuropathy and retinopathy was denied as his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating under the applicable VA Rating Schedule.

The Board denied service connection for prostate disorder and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, both presumed to be due to Agent Orange exposure during the Veteran's military service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the extremities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling updated VA examinations.