Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2026

The Veteran's service-connected right and left lower extremity radiculopathies result in the equivalent of loss of use of both feet, entitling him to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on loss of use of both feet.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including prostate cancer, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type II, diabetic nephropathy and end stage renal disease with dialysis, diabetic peripheral neuropathies of various extremities, erectile dysfunction, lumbar spine strain with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome, and bilateral knee replacements, do not meet the criteria for service connection based on direct evidence or presumptive exposure to herbicide agents. The Board also found that there was no qualifying exposure to toxic environmental exposures during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral lower extremity non-diabetic peripheral neuropathy, finding that there was no evidence of early-onset peripheral neuropathy due to Agent Orange exposure and insufficient medical opinion to establish a direct relationship between the conditions and service.

The Veteran's SMC was granted at the intermediate level between 38 U.S.C. § 1114(m) and (n) due to additional disabilities including peripheral neuropathies, tinnitus, hearing loss, and lymphoma.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes mellitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since November 6, 2017.

The Veteran's cause of death was hyperkalemia, hemolytic anemia, and autoimmune hemolytic anemia. His Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia substantially contributed to his death.,Service connection for tremors is granted with an effective date of April 11, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person effective February 26, 2025.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for diabetes mellitus and TDIU is remanded due to inadequate examination in the initial decision. The Veteran has reported diabetic complications such as neuropathy and dupuytren's contracture.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for lower and upper bilateral peripheral neuropathy, as well as his claim for individual unemployability. The November 2025 Notice of Disagreement was invalid due to lack of a decision on which to appeal.

The Veteran's diffused large B-cell lymphoma stage 4 disability is related to service exposure, and secondary disabilities such as malignant pleural effusion, type 2 diabetes mellitus, gout, sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and persistent depressive disorder are also related to this primary condition.,The Veteran's diffused large B-cell lymphoma stage 4 disability is a direct result of service exposure.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for left sensory motor polyneuropathy, finding that his condition is related to his service-connected left hip arthroplasty and lumbar degenerative joint disease and scoliosis. The decision resolves doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have been denied. The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.,There is no established link between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service, with the exception of DM being diagnosed after separation from service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a VA peripheral nerve examination to determine the nature and severity of his service-connected lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran does not require personal care services for a minimum of six continuous months due to his ability to perform activities of daily living independently and manage his health without assistance.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because the Board Appeal request was not timely filed with respect to the November 19, 2021 rating decision denying service connection for various conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The Board finds the available opinions inadequate and requires a new VA examination to determine if OSA is related to service, including conceded exposure to herbicide agents. If related, the examiner must also consider whether it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected disabilities, but denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy.

The appeal of the June 2025 AOJ decision regarding entitlement to service connection for disabilities caused by thyroid is dismissed. The AOJ's denial of other claims (bilateral knee, shoulder, hip, neuropathy, and stomach ulcer) is remanded.