Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board finds that the veteran's right ulnar neuropathy, including severe weakness and atrophy, was chronically worsened as a result of VA surgery in July 1993. The evidence is at least in equipoise whether this worsening represents an actual aggravation or chronic increase in severity rather than coincidental with the surgery.

The veteran claims service connection for low back disability, including degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the spine with mild sensory motor neuropathy. The case is being remanded to obtain a medical opinion regarding causation and to review the issue under VA's General Counsel's opinion in VAOPGCPREC 3-2003.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development due to VCAA compliance issues and consideration of secondary service connection theories.

The Board denied all the claims, including service connection for various conditions and reopening of certain disability claims. The denial was based on lack of evidence linking these conditions to military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome, peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's common peroneal neuropathy of the left lower extremity is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and an increased evaluation in excess of this rating is denied.,The veteran's traumatic arthritis of the left knee with decreased range of motion is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, and an increased evaluation in excess of this rating is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus and secondary conditions due to exposure to chemicals during his service aboard the USS Granville S. Hall, finding no competent evidence linking these conditions to chemical exposure.

The veteran's service connection claims for postoperative residuals peripheral vascular disease with claudication, neuropathy and leg pain, and tension headaches due to an undiagnosed illness are denied as there is no evidence of a direct service origin.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, attributing it to herbicide exposure. The Board found no evidence of a current disability and concluded that there is no positive association between the veteran's claimed condition and his military service or herbicide exposure.

The Board denied an increased disability evaluation for service-connected trench foot, bilateral, with peripheral neuropathy, hypertrophic changes of the tarsal bones, and diminished popliteal, anterior tibial, and dorsalis pedis pulses.

The veteran's cause of death was staphylococcal sepsis due to bacterial peritonitis, with other significant conditions including chronic renal failure and diabetes mellitus. The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been caused by his service exposure to Agent Orange, leading to a grant of service connection for the cause of death.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for waiver of recovery of an overpayment of nonservice-connected pension benefits, finding that the overpayment was not solely due to VA error and that the veteran acted in bad faith.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence does not establish a link between any of these disabilities and his military service.

The Board found that diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been incurred or aggravated therein. The claim for psychiatric disability was reopened based on the submission of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the veteran and requests for additional records from VA facilities. The appeal will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected conditions did not contribute substantially or materially to his death from coronary artery disease and ischemic cardiomyopathy. The cause of death was listed as coronary artery disease and ischemic cardiomyopathy.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection of peripheral neuropathy as secondary to lithium use for his service-connected psychiatric disorder. The Board found that there is a reasonable possibility that lithium use caused or aggravated the veteran's current peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural deficiencies and the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for VA examinations.

The veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for tendonitis of the left elbow with ulnar neuropathy and epicondylitis of the right elbow are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and information.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy, finding that the veteran's condition is at least as likely as not caused by his presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.