Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2026

The Board has remanded the cases of diabetes mellitus type II, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (LLE PN), right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (RLE PN), and thyroid cancer for further development. The Veteran's claims are related to his exposure to herbicide agents at Fort McClellan (FTMC) in Anniston, AL.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate TERA opinions regarding the Veteran's diabetes. The claim will be returned for further review and an addendum opinion from a clinician.

The Board has determined that VA examinations are required to determine if the Veteran's disabilities, including diabetes and neuropathy of various extremities, are at least as likely as not related to hazardous exposures during service. The issues of service connection for glaucoma secondary to diabetes are also remanded due to their inextricability with other claims.

The appeals for service connection have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence, including missing VA and private treatment records. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is claimed as secondary to a back disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected Parkinson's disease resulted in the need for regular aid and attendance as of July 23, 2019.,Throughout the initial period on appeal, the Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity (femoral nerve), was characterized by moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral unspecified idiopathic peripheral neuropathy, finding that the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange during his Vietnam service is presumed and that there is a link between his current diagnosis and this exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral feet neuropathy, and benign paroxysmal conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 100% disability rating effective June 8, 2020. The appeal for earlier effective dates for the service-connected disabilities is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of VA treatment records.

The Veteran's SMC(l) was granted based on his service-connected prostate cancer, metastatic cancer of the back, ribs, and pelvis, and metastatic cancer of the lymphatic system. The Board found that he has additional disabilities independently ratable at 50 percent or more, including RUE peripheral neuropathy, diabetes with erectile dysfunction, LLE peripheral neuropathy, sciatic nerve, RLE peripheral neuropathy, femoral nerve, left knee arthritis, right knee arthritis, and right clavicle fracture residuals. The Veteran is now entitled to SMC(m 1/2) based on these additional disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal of the increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was erroneously docketed and dismissed as a matter of law.,Service connection for a right hip disability, arthritis, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, back disability, and left knee disability were denied due to lack of evidence supporting these claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of various service-connected conditions have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation in any of these cases.

The Board has granted effective dates of January 30, 2020 for service connection and related benefits for various conditions including hypertension, diabetes mellitus with diabetic nephropathy and erectile dysfunction, scars, peripheral neuropathies, and a mid-sternotomy scar. The decision is based on the presumption that these conditions are due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's attorney, R.C., is eligible for a direct payment of reasonable attorney fees based on the past-due benefits awarded in February and March 2022 Rating Decisions. However, the appeal is denied as the highest reasonable fee that may be charged is 10 percent.

The appeal of the proposal to discontinue service connection for residuals of prostate cancer with erectile dysfunction, including special monthly compensation for loss of use of a creative organ is dismissed. The issues of right and left knee disorders, DMII, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities resulted in the effective loss of use of one or both feet, allowing him to be eligible for an automobile allowance and adaptive equipment.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for an increased rating for thoracolumbar strain and service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for truncal neuropathy, finding that it is related to his in-service abdominal and flank pain.