Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The veteran's hospitalization from March 1-31, 1995 was not for a service-connected disability and did not involve treatment of any service-connected condition for more than 21 days.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for ulnar nerve neuropathy of the right upper extremity, currently rated at 30 percent.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for the veteran's lumbosacral spine disorder, effective from July 1993. The claim for peripheral neuropathy was reopened and service connection was established.

The veteran's claimed conditions, including peripheral neuropathy, circulatory problems, arthritis (in the hands, arms, shoulders, hips, knees, and ankles), and a fungal infection of the feet, were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and did not link to exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has granted increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected injuries to Muscle Group VIII and right median and ulnar neuropathy, but denied a higher initial rating for his right forearm scar.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and peripheral neuropathy, as well as his claim for increased ratings for PTSD. The evidence did not establish a causal link between these conditions and his period of active duty.

The VA determined that the veteran's right eye anterior ischemic optic neuropathy did not meet the criteria for compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151, as there was no clinical confirmation of its onset resulting from VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's nonspecific idiopathic neuropathy of the lower extremities, finding that it is related to his exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The veteran's bilateral lower extremity neuropathy is not considered to be due to VA medical treatment in August 1997, and the claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for polyneuropathy, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated by service and not related to any herbicide exposure. The Board also found no evidence linking the polyneuropathy to his service-connected adenocarcinoma of the kidney.

The veteran's residuals of gunshot wound to the right thigh are currently rated at 10 percent, and his neuropathy of the medial femoral cutaneous nerve is also rated at 10 percent. The decision grants these ratings.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for sciatic neuropathy, left is denied as the current evaluation of 10 percent has been in effect for more than 20 years and there is no evidence of moderate paralysis.

The veteran's notice of disagreement was not timely filed within one year from the date of the December 1997 and January 1998 rating decisions, thus his appeal is dismissed.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for left ulnar nerve distribution neuropathy and serratus muscle damage, residuals of a shell fragment wound to the left shoulder.

The veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure was denied, and his PTSD was granted a higher evaluation from October 12, 1994.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected neuropathy of the right thigh, status post surgical resectioning of the cutaneous nerve is currently manifested by subjective accounts of pain and sensory deficit over the anterior of his right thigh but with no objective findings of paralysis, muscle atrophy, loss of reflexes, or functional loss of the affected right lower extremity. As a result, an initial compensable evaluation was not warranted.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or special home adaptation grant due to lack of evidence showing loss of use of one lower extremity without aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair.

The Board has granted increased ratings of 20 percent each for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, effective as of the date of decision.

The veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance.