Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the minimum evaluation allowed under the rating criteria for incomplete paralysis.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's hypertension, peripheral neuropathy, diabetes mellitus, type II, sleep apnea, and morbid obesity as secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed disabilities of tremors of the head and peripheral neuropathy with tremors of the bilateral upper extremities are not related to his military service, including exposure to Agent Orange. As a result, these claims for service connection have been denied.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance was granted effective September 13, 2004. The decision is based on his current disabilities and their impact on daily activities.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeal, and the case is dismissed.

The veteran's left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are each rated at 20 percent, reflecting moderate incomplete paralysis of the external popliteal nerve.,The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, representing occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further action due to a failure in VA's duty to assist the veteran regarding his claimed exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of the veteran's peripheral neuropathy and PTSD, as well as whether service connection for these conditions can be established. The RO will also obtain any outstanding private medical records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, which occurred after VA hernia surgery in August 2002, was caused by an event not reasonably foreseeable and therefore meets the criteria for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new examination to address the nature and etiology of any current peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity and the symptoms and severity of the service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities.

The Board has granted a higher disability rating for the veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, but denied any increase in ratings for peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities.

The Board has determined that the claimant's service connection claims for ulnar neuropathy with residual nerve deficit and pain, left elbow; left wrist and hand disability; carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist; and right elbow tendonitis are all denied as there is no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, urinary frequency, and sexual dysfunction as secondary to diabetes mellitus, all of which were deemed not related to the veteran's active duty service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the veteran's immune complex disease, including chloracne, acute and subacute peripheral neuropathy, porphyria cutanea tarda, or any other immune complex disease are at least as likely as not directly related to his exposure to Agent Orange in service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including verification of in-service stressors and additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for further development due to incomplete information and evidence. The claims of service connection for residuals of injury to the right great toe, bilateral hearing loss, and pneumonia are also being remanded.

The Board found no evidence of a current upper spine condition or any link between the veteran's service-connected lumbar herniated nucleus pulposis and his claimed conditions. The claim for an upper spine condition was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating in any of his service-connected conditions, including right ankle strain, neuropathy of the right thigh, and seasonal allergic rhinitis. As such, his claims are denied.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease to which an examiner could relate the currently diagnosed conditions.

The veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, and residuals of right arm fracture have been denied. The claim for increased rating for residuals of right total hip replacement has been granted with a current evaluation of 70 percent.