Loading condition outcomes…
Loading condition outcomes…
Peripheral neuropathy is nerve damage in the arms, legs, hands, or feet. The VA does not have one single "peripheral neuropathy" listing. Instead, it rates the condition under 38 CFR 4.124a, "Diseases of the Peripheral Nerves," by looking at which specific nerve is affected and how badly it works. Each nerve has its own diagnostic codes for paralysis, neuritis (a series ending in 20, like 8620), and neuralgia (a series ending in 20, like 8720). For example, the sciatic nerve is rated under diagnostic code 8520, with codes 8620 and 8720 covering neuritis and neuralgia of that same nerve.
What drives a higher percentage is how much the nerve has stopped working. The VA rates the loss as "complete" paralysis (the highest level for that nerve) or as "incomplete" paralysis at mild, moderate, severe, or (for some nerves) moderately severe levels. The rules explain that "incomplete paralysis" means lost or impaired function that is substantially less than complete paralysis. When the problem is wholly sensory (numbness or tingling without muscle weakness), the rating is meant to stay at the mild, or at most the moderate, level. Peripheral-nerve ratings are written for one side of the body; when both sides are affected, the VA combines them and applies the bilateral factor. Because the rating follows the nerve and the severity, the exact code and percentage depend on a medical exam.
There is also a presumptive (exposure) pathway. "Early-onset peripheral neuropathy" is on the VA's list of diseases tied to Agent Orange and other herbicide exposure under 38 CFR 3.309(e). For this presumptive route, the VA's timing rule in 38 CFR 3.307 requires that early-onset peripheral neuropathy become manifest to a degree of 10 percent or more within one year after the veteran's last herbicide exposure during service. A separate presumptive for former prisoners of war covers peripheral neuropathy except where it is directly related to infectious causes. When a presumptive applies, the VA generally treats the link to service as established, which can remove the usual need to prove a direct nexus.
This is educational information about how the VA's rules generally work, not legal advice or a VA decision about any individual claim.
Grounded in federal regulations and VA guidance, independently reviewed June 2026. Educational information, not legal advice or a VA determination.
Across 38,945 real Board appeals for Peripheral neuropathy
A denial is often not the end either — remands (shown below) are sent back for more development and can still end in a grant. These are historical outcomes, not a prediction of your case.
Appeals with representation succeed more often. Find free (VSO) or accredited help →
Among the appeals that were granted or partly granted, the most common ways Peripheral neuropathy was linked to service:
In appeals where Peripheral neuropathy was the only condition decided and the Board granted it, the rating most often assigned was:
These appeals involved a recognized exposure — which can mean the link to service is presumed, with no nexus to prove:
The Veteran's right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy disabilities are granted with ratings of 40% and 30%, respectively, effective February 4, 2019.,Effective February 4, 2019, the Veteran is granted eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) under 38 U.S.C. chapter 35.
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his service in the Republic of Vietnam.
The Board has granted service connection for chronic lymphocytic leukemia, diabetes mellitus type II, and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy. The Veteran's cause of death due to these conditions is also recognized.
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for Marfan's syndrome was dismissed as the appellant withdrew his request.,Service connection is granted for left lower extremity neuropathy of the sciatic nerve (left foot disability) and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity. The low back degenerative arthritis has also been granted.
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance, leading to the grant of SMC based on aid and attendance.
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral lower and upper extremity neuropathies, finding that they are related to his in-service herbicide exposure (Agent Orange).
Jump to the decisions from a specific year.
New decisions are added every week, and older years are actively being backfilled — a year that looks thin or missing here (especially 2011–2017) is a gap in our library, not in the Board’s decisions.
Veterans appealing Peripheral neuropathy often look at outcomes for these too:
We’ll send the free starter guide now, then a note when notable new Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions are added. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
We will only use this to send the guide and occasional updates for this condition. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.