Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during the Veteran's service in or near the Korean DMZ.

The Board granted service connection for systemic lupus erythematosus, alopecia areata, hypertension, sleep apnea, parathyroid cancer, cardiomegaly, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, bilateral upper extremity neuropathy, and arthritis of the bilateral feet, ankles, knees, elbows, wrists, and hands.

The appeal was dismissed due to a claims processing error, as the Veteran's VA Form 10182 did not list issues that had been adjudicated by the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ).

The Board remands the claims for service connection for stomach cancer, diabetes mellitus, glaucoma, and peripheral neuropathy of both upper and lower extremities to correct duty-to-assist errors related to potential exposure to hazardous chemicals and herbicides during the Veteran's service.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of a back disability and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as they were granted in full by the AOJ.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for increased ratings and special monthly compensation, as well as higher ratings for various conditions.

The Board granted service connection for left upper extremity, right upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as due to exposure to herbicides, and for hernia. Basal cell carcinoma was denied.

The Board granted a 40% rating for peripheral neuropathy in the lower left and right extremities, but denied higher ratings for femoral nerve impairment. The claim for increased rating for headaches was dismissed, while restoration of a 10% rating for bilateral hearing loss was granted effective May 29, 2024.

The Board granted earlier effective dates of March 5, 2014, for the grant of service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

The Board granted an increased rating to 20 percent for RLE peripheral neuropathy, sciatic nerve, and femoral nerve, effective May 2, 2024.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, colon cancer, and neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities due to further development needed.

The Board granted an initial rating of 20 percent for right and left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, but denied a higher rating for hypertension. The Board also granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for the period from May 17, 2016, to March 27, 2018.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a right and left hand condition (diagnosed as ulnar neuropathy) to obtain an additional medical opinion.

The Board granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2 due to herbicide exposure and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities secondary to the service-connected diabetes, but remanded the claim for cause of death.

The Board granted a 10 percent rating for hypertension but remanded the claims for initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for diabetic peripheral neuropathy, left and right lower extremities.

The Board remands the claims for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II and in excess of 10 percent for left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy to correct pre-decisional errors related to obtaining private treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for a rating of 20 percent for right foot neuropathy, external popliteal and anterior tibial nerves was granted from the earlier effective date of July 16, 2023. Other claims were denied.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain based on aggravation during service and for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to its onset in service.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for rib disorder, reflex sympathetic dystrophy, fibromyalgia, respiratory disorder, skin condition, to include psoriasis, bilateral hand arthritis, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and bilateral ulnar neuropathy. However, the claims for service connection for bilateral hand arthritis, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral ulnar neuropathy, hypertension, rib disorder, reflex sympathetic dystrophy, fibromyalgia, respiratory disorder, and skin condition, to include psoriasis, have been denied.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as further development is needed to provide an adequate medical opinion.