Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2025

The Board remands the claims for further development to correct a duty to assist error regarding the Veteran's service connection and initial rating claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for earlier effective dates for service connection of peripheral neuropathy affecting all four extremities, finding no clear and unmistakable error in prior denials and that the earliest possible effective date was June 17, 2018.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of peripheral neuropathy in all extremities due to a prohibited concurrent election.

The Board denied increased ratings for seborrheic dermatitis, diabetes mellitus II, left and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. However, it granted an initial 40 percent rating for both the right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, as well as a 10 percent rating for hypertension.

The Board granted an effective date of January 15, 2023, for the award of service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) and a 100 percent rating from that date. The claims for earlier effective dates for right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy were denied.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to a higher rating for left knee meniscal tear with degenerative arthritis and a baker's cyst, as well as service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, due to deficiencies in VA's duty to assist.

The Board remands the claims for initial compensable ratings due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, specifically regarding notice of the right to a hearing under 38 C.F.R. § 3.103(d)(1).

The Board granted initial ratings for the veteran's peripheral neuropathies and hypertension but denied higher ratings. The effective dates for service connection were also addressed.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's service-connected left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and left upper extremity muscle weakness, but granted special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, granting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board remands the claims for service connection for neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board granted service connection for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) based on the evidence in favor of the Veteran's claim.

The Board remands the claims for bilateral peripheral neuropathy to obtain an addendum VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral peripheral neuropathy is related to his active duty service, including the synergistic, combined effect of all TERAs.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for neurological impairment of the bilateral upper extremities, kidney condition/urinary tract disability, and a bilateral eye disability due to further development required by the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxins Act of 2022 (PACT Act) and compliance with remand directives.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for arthritis of the left middle finger and remanded claims for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and a TDIU.

The Board granted an initial 20 percent rating for the right lower extremity radiculopathy but denied increased ratings for both left and right lower extremities.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for type two diabetes mellitus, right and left upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and chronic kidney disease (CKD) due to inadequate VA medical nexus opinions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and service connection for a headache disability, as the evidence did not support an earlier date of entitlement or the presence of a headache condition.

The Board denied service connection for heart disability, hypertension, hypothyroidism, pre-diabetes, and neuropathy of the lower extremities as there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board denied the severance of service connection for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding clear and unmistakable error in the original grant of service connection. The Board also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).