Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial, compensable rating for residuals of a fracture of the right 4th finger, attributing the disability to diabetic neuropathy and carpal tunnel syndrome. The evidence showed some limitation of motion but no unfavorable or extremely unfavorable ankylosis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and recognition as a former prisoner of war, finding that new and material evidence was not submitted in support of these claims.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated as a result of any incident of service, including alleged exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam.

The Board finds that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is secondarily service connected to his shell fragment wounds, which were incurred in service and for which service connection has been established.

The veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance has been granted. The effective date of his service-connected CIDP disabilities is not addressed in this decision.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in denying service connection for residuals of frostbite, but granted new evidence to reopen the claim and establish service connection for chronic axonal polyneuropathy.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of frostbite with axonal polyneuropathy and found that erectile dysfunction is secondary to this condition. The effective date remains May 23, 1991.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and increased the rating for left brachial plexus neuropathy to 30 percent. The claim for an increased rating for bilateral varicose veins remains denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities and a compression fracture of the upper lumbar spine with lumbosacral strain, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any service-connected disability.

The Board found that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy is not related to service or a service-connected condition and denied his claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for a major depressive disorder should have been granted effective from March 7, 1997. The award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is also effective as of March 30, 1997.

The Board has determined that the veteran is entitled to a TDIU effective date of June 16, 1993, based on evidence showing he was totally disabled by his service-connected disabilities more than a year prior to that claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for secondary service connection were not well grounded and are therefore denied. The RO is directed to consider whether additional notification or development actions are required under the VCAA.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for special monthly compensation was granted, with the effective date set at April 4, 2000. The decision also awarded regular aid and attendance benefits.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of TDIU was granted, with the effective date set at October 17, 1989. This decision is based on the fact that the veteran became unable to work due to his service-connected disabilities as early as October 17, 1989.

The Board has determined that the veteran's postoperative lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome, consisting of residuals of multiple low back surgeries, is considered to have been incurred in service as a progression of his service-connected sacroiliitis with left sciatic neuropathy.

The veteran's claim for specially adapted housing or special home adaptation grant is being remanded due to the need for additional development and notification under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board denied the veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy as new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The veteran's service-connected traumatic left optic neuropathy and status post closed head injury, post concussive syndrome are rated at the maximum disability levels. The other service-connected conditions have non-compensable ratings.

The Board found that the veteran's cause of death, septicemia due to or as a consequence of chronic pancreatitis, was not related to his active military service. The diagnoses of chloracne and peripheral neuropathy were linked to Agent Orange exposure, but these conditions did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection under VA regulations.