Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for left and right upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, as well as left and right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, are granted. The initial disability rating assigned is 20 percent for each affected limb.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding entitlement to a clothing allowance for calendar year 2023 due to a previous grant in another appeal stream. The Board granted the claim for calendar year 2024, finding that the Veteran's bilateral hand/wrist braces caused wear and tear on his clothing.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error regarding specific TERA exposures. The AOJ is instructed to clarify the Veteran's conceded TERA exposures and obtain addendum opinions considering those exposures.

The Veteran's Parkinson's Disease and associated lower extremity symptoms have been granted a single 40 percent evaluation effective October 7, 2022. Additionally, he is awarded SMC based on loss of use of both feet, need for regular aid and attendance, and two SMC awards.

The Veteran's SMC and TDIU claims are remanded due to a duty to assist error regarding the assessment of his service-connected bilateral hand palmar hyperkeratosis. A VA examination is needed to determine if there is loss of use of the hands, including distinguishing between symptoms attributable to the service-connected condition and any non-service-connected conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of his right-hand condition due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to obtain relevant private medical records. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities of bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, diabetes, or other claimed conditions. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran is granted an earlier effective date of September 3, 2020 for individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and associated peripheral neuropathy rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment as of May 26, 2013. The Board granted an effective date of May 26, 2013, for the award of Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied service connection for heart disorder, DM, BLE neuropathy, and right leg amputation as the evidence did not show these conditions were related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's chronic low back pain and peripheral neuropathy have been granted increased ratings, with the right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy receiving a 20 percent rating from February 6, 1979 to May 14, 1984, and the left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy receiving a 10 percent rating from February 6, 1979. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability was granted starting from May 23, 2008.

The Veteran's heart condition is granted as service-connected due to exposure to herbicides. The claims for left lower extremity and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy are dismissed, while the claim for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy remains denied.

The Veteran is granted SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected MDD as of February 28, 2019, and SMC based on the need for aid and attendance of another person as of October 21, 2022. The rating assigned is 50%.

The Board found that the Veteran is not in need of personal care services for a minimum of six continuous months due to his conditions, and thus denied eligibility for PCAFC enrollment.

The Veteran's initial ratings for left and right lower extremity non-traumatic exertional compartment syndrome with neuropathy have been denied, as the disability picture does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has granted effective dates of January 7, 2016 for the awards of service connection for various conditions including diabetes mellitus and its manifestations, kidney failure, bilateral lower extremity amputations, and CHF.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and hypertension have been denied as there is no evidence that these conditions were service-connected prior to the dates assigned.,The Veteran's claim for earlier effective date for hypertension has also been denied.

The Veteran's left hand post-operative neuropathy is granted with a rating of 30 percent, effective as of the date of the decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and ataxia due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The claims are being returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that the claim for eligibility to enroll in the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) is remanded due to insufficient evidence and lack of proper notice. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in a need for personal care services, but this determination was made without adequate medical justification or explanation.