Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities based on a medical nexus to in-service lead exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for neuropathy of the legs and feet, finding no evidence that the condition was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus type 2 with erectile dysfunction and vertigo, but granted a separate 10 percent rating for vertigo associated with DM2. The Board also denied initial ratings in excess of 20 percent for right upper extremity and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Board granted the claims to reopen service connection for bilateral lower and upper extremity neuropathy but denied service connection on the merits.

The Veteran's right arm ulnar neuropathy is granted an evaluation of 30 percent, but no higher. The Veteran's right little finger disability is denied a compensable evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and remanded the claims for a respiratory disability, peripheral neuropathy of all extremities, and a skin condition.

The Board remands the claims for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy.

The Board granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower and upper extremities, as well as right arm benign essential tremor, based on in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board remands the claim for an adequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, including whether it is related to in-service herbicide exposure.

The Board remands the claims for peripheral neuropathy and facial numbness as secondary to service-connected hypothyroidism for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied a rating higher than 20 percent for the right and left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy prior to August 14, 2024, and a rating higher than 40 percent thereafter.

The Board remands the matter for a diagnostic swallow evaluation, an EMG nerve conduction test to confirm nerve damage, and an addendum opinion addressing the findings of these tests.

The Board denied service connection for left foot plantar fasciitis and remanded claims for service connection for left wrist tendonitis, right wrist tendonitis, right lower extremity (RLE) peripheral neuropathy, and right hand numbness.

The Board remands the matter for a diagnostic swallow evaluation, an EMG nerve conduction test to confirm nerve damage, and an addendum opinion addressing the findings of these tests.

The Board granted service connection for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, diabetes mellitus type II, heart disability (claimed as coronary artery disease), and Parkinson's disease under the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022. The claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for the cause of death was denied.

The Board granted an effective date of December 14, 2021, for service connection for left and right sciatic and femoral diabetic neuropathies.

The Board remands the claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for diabetic peripheral neuropathy affecting both lower extremities due to insufficient medical evidence.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as further development is needed.

The Board granted readjudication of the claims for service connection for a substance abuse disorder and an acquired psychiatric disability, to include depression and anxiety, based on new and relevant evidence. The claims for neuropathy of the right upper extremity were remanded.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, left lower extremity neuropathy, right lower extremity neuropathy, adrenal gland removal, and low testosterone as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to active-duty service or herbicide exposure.