Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for motor sensory polyneuropathy/plantar fasciitis, claimed as foot problems due to cold injury, finding no medical evidence linking the condition to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's peripheral neuropathy, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his in-service exposure to Agent Orange.

The veteran's lumbosacral spine status post fusion with spondylolisthesis, degenerative arthritis, and degenerative disc disease with secondary peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities is rated as 40 percent for limitation of motion of the lumbar spine, 40 percent for incomplete paralysis of the right lower extremity, and 40 percent for incomplete paralysis of the left lower extremity.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for review of additional evidence submitted by the veteran, and will not make a decision on service connection until this is done.

The veteran's service-connected left eye disability was rated at 30 percent effective July 11, 2005. The evidence did not show that the corrected central visual acuity in the service-connected left eye was worse than 20/200 prior to this date.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and the need for further examination by a VA neurologist. The appellant's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 are pending.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the September 1971 rating decision that reduced the ratings for neuropathy of the right upper and lower extremities to noncompensable. The effective dates for the awards were determined, but service connection was denied for organic brain syndrome.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lumbar spine disability warrants a rating of 60 percent prior to February 19, 2001 and a rating of 40 percent thereafter. The effective date for this decision is not specified as there was no specific request for an earlier effective date.

The Board has granted a higher initial rating of 40 percent for demyelinating neuropathy of the right lower extremity, effective from November 1, 2001. The veteran's other claims remain unchanged.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant under 38 U.S.C. § 2101.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the veteran's degenerative joint disease and peripheral neuropathy/foot disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right ulnar neuropathy, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA schedule of ratings.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development due to issues related to service connection and new evidence.

The veteran's service-connected diabetic neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities is currently rated at 10 percent, but does not meet criteria for a higher rating based on current evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for xanthoma disseminatum and peripheral neuropathy, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The VA denied the appellant's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to her disabilities, which do not render her unable to care for most of her daily needs without requiring A&A.

The Board found that the veteran's service in Vietnam was not established, leading to a clear and unmistakable error in granting presumptive service connection for his disabilities. The severance of these conditions is upheld.

The veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy is being remanded to the RO for a Board video-conference hearing before a VLJ or Acting VLJ sitting in Washington, D.C.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his military service and have denied all of his claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lower abdominal pain and left sural neuropathy are proximately due to, or aggravated by, his service-connected bilateral inguinal hernia repairs. The Board also found that these conditions do not constitute a separate disability for which service connection is in order. However, the Board concluded that the veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine may be related to his service-connected bilateral inguinal hernias.