Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is denied because there is no evidence to support the contention that his peripheral neuropathy affecting two fingers of his left hand was caused by an IV transfusion received in August 1995 at a VA medical center.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to February 5, 1998, for the grant of compensation pursuant to the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for left ulnar nerve neuropathy as a result of surgery during VA hospitalization in June 1996.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, finding no medical evidence linking the condition to his military service or herbicide exposure.

The veteran's service-connected back disability required emergency treatment at a private hospital on July 21, 1998. The Board found that the medical care was necessary due to an emergent condition and granted payment for the unauthorized expenses.

The veteran's left ulnar neuropathy is productive of no more than mild incomplete paralysis, warranting a 10% disability rating. The appeal was granted.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of well-groundedness and incomplete development. The RO is instructed to obtain medical evidence and provide a VA examination to determine if the veteran's hypertension is secondary to his PTSD, and whether peripheral neuropathy and porphyria cutaneous tarda are related to Agent Orange exposure.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 60 percent disabling, effective from the date of his claim. He also has service-connected peripheral neuropathy of both feet, which are separately rated.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine the veteran's pre-service level of disability and whether she had any treatment between her two periods of service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for left ulnar neuropathy entrapment, finding that his condition is currently manifested by no more than moderate incomplete paralysis of the ulnar nerve in the minor arm and therefore warrants a 20 percent evaluation.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, effective from July 1, 1997. The claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU benefits was granted and effective as of May 21, 1997.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the veteran engaged in combat and his symptoms are related to his Vietnam service. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy is held in abeyance pending completion of development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding the veteran's service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to qualify for specially adapted housing or financial assistance in purchasing a vehicle.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the hands and feet, as secondary to exposure to Agent Orange. The case is remanded due to incomplete medical records.

The veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities, including a low back disorder, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the left leg, and bilateral ankle disorders, do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability evaluation for pension purposes as his combined rating is 40 percent.

The veteran's right ulnar neuropathy is not considered to be a result of VA treatment, and the Board denied his claim for compensation under U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy and chloracne, claimed as secondary to exposure to Agent Orange, will be readjudicated.

The veteran seeks service connection for peripheral neuropathy with circulatory problems of the arms, hands, legs, and feet, to include as a residual of exposure to Agent Orange. The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to adjudicate this claim.

The Board has ordered the RO to obtain VA medical records and ensure that all notification and development action required by the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 is completed. The veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy will be remanded for further review.

The veteran's service-connected traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine, cervical spine, and right knee have been granted with respective evaluations of 20%, 10%, and 10% since January 1996. The claim for bilateral ulnar neuropathy was denied.

The Board is remanding the case to determine if new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim for service connection for chronic peripheral neuropathy due to Agent Orange exposure. If reopened, the claim will be adjudicated.