Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2025

The Board granted an effective date of February 2, 2012, for the award of service connection for peripheral neuropathy in all extremities but remanded claims for higher initial ratings and special monthly compensation.

The Board remands the claims for increased ratings due to duty to assist errors that occurred prior to the October 2023, December 2023, and January 2024 rating decisions on appeal.

The Board granted entitlement to Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) at the rates under 38 U.S.C. � 1114(o) and 38 U.S.C. � 1114(r)(1), based on the Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board remands the issue of service connection for left lower extremity neuropathy due to an inadequate medical opinion.

The Board denied service connection for T1-T2 scoliosis, a right ankle disability, and a right hip disability. The increased rating claim for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy was also denied.

The Board remands all issues on appeal for additional development, including verification of potential exposure to herbicide agents and other chemicals, as well as obtaining any relevant treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 50% rating from September 27, 2021 to March 8, 2023; however, ratings in excess of 50% and 70% were denied. The claims for earlier effective dates for service connection for coronary artery disease, left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy were also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes and upper and lower peripheral neuropathy rendered him unable to work in any job, sedentary or non-sedentary, making a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) appropriate.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for bilateral eye condition, irritable bowel syndrome with claimed symptoms of diarrhea (IBS), hypertension, and multiple myeloma due to a need for further development regarding in-service exposure to pesticides and herbicide agents.

The Board granted service connection for left and right lower extremity, as well as left and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, secondary to chemotherapy and radiation treatment for service-connected prostate cancer and CLL. Additionally, the Veteran was granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance of another person.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and a higher disability rating. The claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy were remanded.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for the award of service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease and polyneuropathy, as well as special monthly compensation based on housebound criteria.

The Board granted service connection for a bilateral hand disability, to include residuals of frostbite, sensory neuropathy, and Raynaud's phenomenon, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection for diabetes, granted a 20 percent rating for diabetes from December 13, 2018, and granted service connection for bilateral lower extremity neuropathy with an effective date of October 23, 2021.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, left foot neuropathy, right foot neuropathy, left hand neuropathy, and right hand neuropathy as they are not related to the Veteran's Gulf War environmental exposures or otherwise related to his service.

The Board granted a 100 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with persistent depressive disorder and denied higher ratings for diabetes mellitus, type II, as well as various peripheral neuropathies. The decision also addressed TDIU, Dependents' Educational Assistance, and SMC.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected coronary artery disease alone and special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) prior to August 31, 2015.

The veteran was granted a 20 percent rating for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (sciatic nerve impairment) from September 22, 2014, to May 22, 2019, and a 40 percent rating from May 22, 2019. The claims for increased ratings for femoral nerve impairment were denied.

The Board denied service connection for right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to the Veteran's military service, including exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding the Veteran's symptoms more nearly approximate moderate incomplete paralysis.