Va Compensation Peripheral Neuropathy

They used to but for quite a few years now only unilateral ratings are assigned for this condition.

Va compensation peripheral neuropathy. VA presumes Veterans early-onset peripheral neuropathy is related to their exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides during service when the disease appears within one year of exposure to a degree of at least 10 percent disabling by VAs rating regulations. What Is Peripheral Neuropathy. Lets look at a couple Court and Board decisions to see if there are any patterns we should learn from or tips we can glean. Symptoms include numbness tingling or prickling in the toes or fingers in.

However three of the most common include peripheral neuropathy radiculopathy and sciatica. Peripheral neuropathy is the most common type. Peripheral neuropathy is a condition of the peripheral nervous system which consists of nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. Neuropathy is listed as a disease of the peripheral nerves under Neurological Conditions and Convulsive Disorders.

Peripheral Nerves of the Upper Body and VA Benefits. The VA awards disability compensation for each condition of the Peripheral Nerves of the Low Back and Legs that is service-connected. The VA uses this schedule to assess your disability. For example conditions such as infectious diseases that attack the immune system cancer and chronic organ disease liverkidney can be seen with effects of neuropathy.

Based on the most current medical science as reported by the Institute of Medicine IOM VA has modified its disability compensation rules so that peripheral neuropathy qualifies as a presumptive condition if it was diagnosed within one year of exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides used in Vietnam and is persistent chronic. The unilateral ratings allows them to apply the bilateral factor in determining the final combined evaluation. This affects the feet and legs first and then moves to the hands and arms. Home VA Commonly Used Forms Disability Benefits Questionnaires DBQ Disability Benefits Questionnaire DBQ Forms.

Practical Tips for Proving up your VA Peripheral Neuropathy Rating. This is especially true when medicine is not able to establish another cause for the Neuropathy and often terms it idiopathic or of unknown cause. Veterans suffering peripheral neuropathy directly caused by exposure to the toxic herbicide Agent Orange could be eligible for compensation from the Veterans Affairs Department. Peripheral neuropathy is a common condition among veterans who have certain chronic conditions such as diabetes mellitus.

VA doesnt assign bilateral ratings for peripheral neuropathy. Without lay evidence of the frequency chronicity and severity of the subjective manifestations the tingling the numbness the throbbing the feeling like your leg is being zapped by 1500. Because of the high rate of misdiagnosing it is imperative that whoever is filing makes it extremely clear the symptoms they are experiencing and the severity of those symptoms. Radiculopathy is caused by a compressed nerve in the spine.

Disability Benefits Questionnaire DBQ Forms. Veterans may experience a number of debilitating nerve conditions. When filing with the VA make sure to press the case for all the issues you are experiencing often the VA will overlook peripheral neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy results from damage to the peripheral nerves.

Peripheral autonomic proximal and mononeuropathy. Medical evidence has shown that herbicides like Agent Orange can damage the nervous system. The peripheral nerves in the upper back and neck go into the shoulders and arms. The DoD will also rate service-connected conditions as long as they also make the service member Unfit for Duty.

Disability Benefits Questionnaires DBQs are medical examination forms used to obtain important information for evaluating disability compensation andor pension claims. This is one of the most significant nerves in the shoulder arm and hand. Peripheral neuropathy occurs when the peripheral nerve is damaged causing pain numbness and weakness. Common Problems for Veterans with Peripheral Neuropathy.

If you are a Vietnam veteran meet the criteria for Agent Orange presumption and are living with peripheral neuropathy you will automatically be eligible for VA disability compensation. PN is a real pain in the but with tingling numbness extreme cold reaction and aches but is not a total loss of use of as long as you can walk stand up from a sitting position push with your arms atc. Lay Evidence is VITAL to maximizing your rating under the VA Diagnostic Code for Peripheral Neuropathy. Service-Connected Neuropathy and Agent Orange.

If you were exposed to Agent Orange during military service and later developed peripheral neuropathy you may be entitled to VA disability benefits. Currently the VA has acute and subacute peripheral neuropathy on its list of diseases presumed to be related to Agent Orange exposure. If the rating was bilateral the bilateral factor would not apply. VA disability ratings depend on the severity and frequency of symptoms.

Peripheral neuropathy manifests as weakness numbness and pain usually in the hands or feet. Getting VA Disability Compensation for Nerve Damage Due to Agent Orange Exposure. As stated above VA presumes service. Although Peripheral Neuropathy is known to be diagnosed in diabetic individuals that does not mean there arent other conditions that can cause neuropathy.

The following is a list of the peripheral nerves in the upper backneck that can be rated for VA disability purposes. There are four main types of diabetic neuropathy. The United States Department of Veterans Affairs VA has a compensation schedule for rating disabilities.