Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, but dismissed the claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a lumbar spine disability as moot.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding no evidence of the condition during or immediately after service and noting a significant delay in symptom presentation.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal for service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II and related conditions due to a late filing of the appeal.

The Board granted service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue and assigned a 20 percent evaluation, but denied service connection for osteoporosis, spinal stenosis, neurocognitive disorder with Alzheimer's, hypertension, and TDIU.

The Veteran was granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance, eligibility for specially adapted housing, and had his appeal for a special home adaptation grant dismissed. The issues related to Parkinson's disease tremors were remanded.

The Board granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2, a heart condition as secondary to hypertension, and lower extremity vascular disability as secondary to diabetes mellitus type 2. The claims for peripheral neuropathy in all four extremities and amputation of toes were also granted as secondary to diabetes mellitus type 2. However, the claims for a neck condition, COPD, gall bladder removal, and chronic kidney disease were denied.

The Veteran's earlier effective date for TIA residuals was granted, while the claims for an earlier effective date for TDIU and SMC were denied. Service connection for diabetes mellitus was also granted.

The Board denied service connection for right and left ulnar neuropathy, finding that the evidence does not support a causal relationship between these conditions and either in-service injury or a service-connected disability.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity other than hemiparesis, as there is no evidence of a current disability apart from the Veteran's service-connected hemiparesis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to February 15, 2023.

The Board remands the issues of increased evaluations for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral lower extremity sciatic and femoral peripheral neuropathy to obtain medical records constructively in VA's possession.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, and upper extremity neuropathy disabilities as there was no evidence to support a causal relationship between the claimed conditions and the Veteran's active service.

The Board granted readjudication of the claims for service connection for PTSD and depression, but denied service connection for DMII, hypertension, prostate cancer, sleep apnea, impotence, peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral claudication/superficial femoral artery disease.

The Board remands the claims for further development, including clarification of the notice of disagreement submitted after the Veteran's death and addressing the Veteran's statements regarding his service in or near the DMZ.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to August 28, 2023, and basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings, finding that the earliest possible effective date was September 9, 2022.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for tinnitus was granted, while the appeals for diabetes mellitus type II and lower extremity diabetic neuropathy were withdrawn. The claim for a low back disorder is remanded due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board granted service connection for right and left upper extremity and right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, to include as due to exposure to herbicide agents. The claim for a left wrist disability was remanded.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the veteran's right small finger fracture and right optic neuropathy, but granted an effective date of August 20, 2021, for a 20 percent disability rating for painful right shoulder scars.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date than July 3, 2019, for awards of service connection for neuropathy in each lower extremity as a matter of law.