Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2025

The veteran's service connection for lumbar spine spondylosis and stenosis, as well as related conditions in the lower extremities, was granted. However, claims related to cervical spine issues and total disability rating were remanded.

The veteran's service connection for peripheral neuropathy in all four extremities due to herbicide exposure was granted. The claim for a compensable disability rating for malaria and entitlement to TDIU were denied and remanded, respectively.

The Veteran's right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy have been granted increased ratings, while the right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy has had some issues resolved with new ratings. The decision also includes remand for further review of TDIU and SMC claims.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a left arm disability, other than LUE peripheral neuropathy due to new evidence and medical opinions. The claims for respiratory disorder, fibromyalgia, and neurological disability are pending but have not been addressed yet.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The claim for service connection for a condition with symptoms of tingling, numbness, and itchiness was remanded.

Service connection for dry mouth is denied. Service connection for a vestibular disorder is granted. All other issues are remanded.

The appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded. The Board will reconsider the Veteran's claim after assigning initial ratings to service-connected disabilities.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection of prostate cancer, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, and peripheral neuropathy in both lower extremities due to exposure to ionizing radiation. The Board found that additional medical opinions are needed.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeal for service connection for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type II, and peripheral neuropathy in all four extremities. The veteran did not opt into the AMA system.

The Board denied service connection for Parkinson's disease due to herbicide agent exposure and/or radiation exposure, as well as peripheral neuropathy in all extremities as secondary to Parkinson's disease.

The Board dismissed claims for earlier effective dates for certain ratings but remanded others for further evaluation.

The veteran's effective date for service connection for left upper extremity traumatic neuropathy is granted as March 13, 2019. The effective date prior to May 4, 2020, for a separate 20 percent rating for painful scars of the left elbow is denied.

The Board dismissed all issues because the veteran had an existing appeal for the same claims.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal for a combined rating in excess of 70 percent. The calculation of the 70 percent combined rating since April 5, 2021, was found to be proper.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection was denied. However, the veteran was granted an increased rating of 30% for right wrist neuropathy starting from May 18, 2022, and TDIU and SMC benefits starting from October 6, 2021.

The Board remanded all issues to correct errors in the duty to assist. The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, erectile dysfunction, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and obstructive sleep apnea will be reconsidered with new medical opinions.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for several conditions were denied. However, service connection for hypertension under the PACT Act and for depressive disorder due to another medical condition was granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a TBI and OSA were denied. The claim for right arm carpal tunnel syndrome, effective dates for peripheral neuropathy, and reimbursement of medical expenses were remanded.

The Board remanded the case to obtain more information about the severity of the veteran's left lower extremity neuropathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in the physical loss or permanent loss of use of one or both hands or feet, permanent impairment of vision in both eyes, severe burn injury, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Therefore, he does not meet the eligibility criteria for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance with adaptive equipment.