Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2025

The Board denied service connection for a disability manifested by shortness of breath and remanded claims for dizziness, headache disorder, right lower extremity polyneuropathy, and left lower extremity polyneuropathy.

The Board granted service connection for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, but denied service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and an effective date prior to September 2, 2022, for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance. Other claims were denied.

The Veteran is granted eligibility for specially adapted housing due to a permanent and total disability involving the loss of use of both lower extremities, which precludes locomotion without the regular and constant use of assistive devices.

The Board denied service connection for neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities as there was no evidence to support a relationship between the Veteran's current diagnoses and his conceded toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) and exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board granted service connection for pancreatic cancer status post partial pancreatectomy and related conditions, but denied an increased rating for hypertension.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied an increased rating for type II diabetes mellitus. Other conditions were granted as complications of the diabetes.

The veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection and increased rating, thus the claims are dismissed.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of October 2, 2015 for the grant of service connection for lumbar sprain and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to good cause shown for the Veteran's failure to file a Notice of Disagreement within one year of the initial denial.

The Board granted a separate rating for nephrolithiasis (kidney stones) and increased ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy with sciatic nerve paralysis in both feet, effective August 12, 2024.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for right and left lower extremity neuropathy to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including obtaining outstanding service records and ensuring an adequate VA opinion is obtained.

The Board denied service connection for basal cell carcinoma of the back, right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as they were not related to the Veteran's service or any herbicide exposure.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of July 28, 2022, for the award of service connection for right and left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy but remanded other issues related to these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetic nephropathy, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, diabetes, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied service connection for the other conditions listed.

The Board granted earlier effective dates of April 28, 2017, for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and a total disability rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU), but denied an earlier effective date for prostate cancer residuals.

The Board denied service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy, left and right lower extremities, erectile dysfunction, a rating in excess of 70 percent for depressive disorder, and secondary conditions as the evidence did not support a diagnosis or nexus to service or service-connected disability.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and related conditions due to potential exposure to herbicide agents at Fort McClellan.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee disability, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and erectile dysfunction as new and relevant evidence was not received. The Veteran's hypertension does not warrant a compensable rating.