Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2025

The Board granted an increased evaluation of 40 percent for service-connected peripheral neuropathy in both the left and right lower extremities, effective May 29, 2018. Service connection was denied for ruptured neutrophilic folliculitis.

The appeal for service connection for peripheral neuropathy in both lower extremities as secondary to type II diabetes mellitus has been withdrawn and dismissed.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for neuropathy/nerve damage of the right upper extremity, neuropathy of the left upper extremity, and sinusitis due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error regarding missing service treatment records.

The Board granted service connection for right and left upper extremity and right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, presumptively related to herbicide exposure.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions, including erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy, actinic keratosis, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, stroke residuals, and coronary artery disease, due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error in not providing VA examinations and medical opinions.

The Board granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II but denied service connection for left upper extremity, right upper extremity, left lower extremity, and right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates, as the evidence did not support a higher rating or an earlier effective date.

The Board granted a 70 percent rating for major depressive disorder from January 31, 2020, and denied ratings in excess of 30 percent prior to that date. The Board also granted a 30 percent rating for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy starting May 12, 2021.

The Board denied a compensable rating for lumbar spine surgical scars and a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, while remanding the claims for increased ratings for left shoulder strain with AC joint osteoarthritis, ulnar neuropathy of the left upper extremity, and lumbar spinal stenosis, degenerative arthritis, and degenerative disc disease.

The Board remands the claim for service connection of a right eye condition to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors and provide additional notice.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for coronary artery disease with hypertension and congestive heart failure, diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy, upper and lower extremities, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to a need for further development including obtaining records in the possession of the federal government and obtaining an adequate medical opinion.

The Board granted increased ratings for the Veteran's left and right upper extremity neuropathy, but denied increased ratings for the lower extremities.

The Board denied service connection for diabetic neuropathy of the left upper, lower extremities and right lower extremity. The claims were remanded for further development regarding cardiovascular arterial disease and carpal tunnel of the right wrist.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and posttraumatic stress disorder due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam or Korea.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy affecting both upper and lower extremities due to new evidence that was not previously considered.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board granted an effective date of August 10, 2022, for service connection for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy associated with TERA participation.

The Board denied service connection for left and right ulnar nerve entrapment neuropathy, right foot hallux valgus, and left foot hallux valgus. The claim for bilateral pes planus was remanded.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease and remanded the claims for peripheral arterial disease, left leg; peripheral arterial disease, right leg; and peripheral neuropathy, both left and right legs.

The Board granted eligibility for attorney fees based on the past-due benefits awarded in October 2022, including a 100 percent rating for PTSD and related conditions, but denied such fees for other benefits.