peripheral neuropathy compensation

[Rudy Burt]

Has anyone had any luck with a peripheral neuropathy claim for a vietnam era vet. 

[GBArmy]

 

Rudy PN is one of 14 presumptive diseases acknowledged by the VAQ as being caused by Agent Orange. When you say Vietnam-era, do you mean the veteran was in the service during the period recognized, or do you mean a veteran who service "boots on the ground", brown water or blue water. If the veteran didn't serve there it would not be a presumptive. He/she may get covered if they were at certain posts that did have some recognized evidence of exposure to personnel.

[Berta]

I am confused as well -

For incountryVietnam Veterans exposed to AO in Vietnam , the criteria for a PN claim is this:

"The Veteran’s claims file documents that the Veteran served in Vietnam, and, as such, service connection is presumed for the disabilities listed in 38 C.F.R. § 3.309(e). Upon review, the Board finds that early-onset peripheral neuropathy is listed in 38 C.F.R. § 3.309(e). Under 38 C.F.R. § 3.307(a)(6)(ii), it states that the early-onset peripheral neuropathy shall have become manifest to a degree of 10 percent or more within one year after the last date on which the veteran was exposed to an herbicide agent. As such, the Board will address whether a presumption based on herbicide exposure is warranted for the claim for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities."

https://www.va.gov/vetapp20/files4/20029156.txt

An AO PN claim is often a very difficult claim to prove because the STRs must reveal early onset of PN as well as becoming disabling at least to 10% within the first year after leaving Vietnam.

However there are many causes for PN, the most prevalent one being diabetes:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/peripheral-neuropathy/symptoms-causes/syc-20352061

Often the PN is a secondary condition ,due to an established service connected condition.

Do you have any service connected conditions that could possibly have caused the peripheral neuropathy?

What has your treating doctor attributed the PN to?

 

 

 

 

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/peripheral-neuropathy/symptoms-causes/syc-20352061

Edited July 6, 2020 by Berta