Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case to address concerns regarding VA treatment records and other potential sources of evidence, including collateral sources of medical evidence.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his VA medical records and an orthopedic and neurological examination to determine the extent of any additional disability resulting from a decompression of the medial nerve procedure in October 1984, as well as the severity of his service-connected left olecranon fracture with postoperative traumatic arthritic changes and ulnar neuropathy.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of her service-connected residuals of cold injury to both feet and fracture, left fourth toe were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has granted a 40 percent evaluation for service-connected right arm neuropathy, effective from August 9, 1990.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for a back disability, right shoulder disability, residuals of dental trauma, and prostate disorder due to exposure to Agent Orange. The claim of service connection for peripheral neuropathy remains denied as no new evidence was submitted that would warrant reopening.

The veteran's PTSD and related disabilities are currently rated at the highest possible schedular evaluations, with no further increase in evaluation being granted. The effective date for the current rating is set as February 18, 1997.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence. The veteran is seeking service connection for peripheral neuropathy, which he claims is related to his in-service exposure to Agent Orange.

The veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar and thoracic spine is currently rated at 40 percent from July 11, 1996 to October 7, 1996, increased to 60 percent effective August 21, 1998.,The veteran's service-connected right lower extremity sciatic neuropathy and left lower extremity sciatic neuropathy are both rated at 20 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder and peripheral neuropathy, both claimed as secondary to Agent Orange exposure. The Board found no evidence of such conditions during service or that they are related to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a bilateral shoulder disorder, right hip disorder, blurred vision, arthritis (other than that which had already been service connected), peripheral neuropathy, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The decision also denied increased disability ratings for certain disabilities.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and no issues related to service connection were addressed.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's axonal neuropathy, finding that it is likely due to herbicide exposure in service. The claim was initially denied as presumptive under Agent Orange exposure, but the Board found that the evidence supported a direct relationship to service.

The veteran's case is being remanded for further development, including additional examinations and consideration of his claims for increased disability ratings and TDIU.

The Board has determined that the veteran's generalized demyelinating peripheral neuropathy is related to his exposure to Agent Orange during service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy was first shown many years after service and there is no causal link between this disability and any incident of active duty, to include exposure to herbicides. As a result, the claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy secondary to Agent Orange exposure was denied.

The veteran's combined disability rating is 60 percent, which does not meet the threshold requirements for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability as per VA regulations. Therefore, the claim of entitlement to a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability must be denied.

The Board found new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for peripheral neuropathy, with a diagnosis related to Agent Orange exposure. The claim is granted.

The veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities is currently rated at 20 percent prior to November 5, 2001. The Board finds that separate 20 percent ratings are warranted for each lower extremity.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence added since the SOC was issued, and the appellant is required to take no action unless otherwise notified.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic peripheral neuropathy is most likely due to his exposure to Agent Orange during service, and grants the claim for service connection.