Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes, and neuropathy, is granted as of September 3, 2025.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, as well as his cervical spine and thoracic strain conditions have been granted increased ratings to 40 percent each.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted, and his service connection claims for various conditions were dismissed. The effective date of the TDIU is not specified in the decision.

The Veteran is granted an increase in SMC to the intermediate rate between subsections (m) and (n), effective October 15, 2021, due to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder rated at 100 percent disabling.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for adjustment disorder with depressed mood was denied, as the evidence did not show symptoms that would warrant a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for right wrist tenosynovitis with ganglion cyst was denied. The current 10% rating is considered appropriate given the nature of his condition.

The Board has granted a 60 percent rating for left and right lower extremity polyneuropathy, finding that the Veteran's symptoms approximated 'severe' incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have resulted in an inability to dress or undress himself, adjust prosthetic appliances, feed himself, attend to the wants of nature, and protect him from hazards. The VA is required to schedule a VA examination to assess whether SMC based on aid and attendance is warranted.

The Veteran's initial ratings for right and left upper extremity diabetic neuropathy have been denied, while a 20 percent rating has been granted for the right and left lower extremity conditions.

The Board denied service connection for GERD, peripheral neuropathy of the left foot, and peripheral neuropathy of the right foot. The claim for a compensable rating for hypertension was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new examination regarding his claimed acquired psychiatric disorder. The other issues of service connection are withdrawn.

The Board has granted an effective date of March 15, 2019 for the award of special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate due to the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and valvular heart disease with cardiomyopathy. The decision also grants earlier effective dates for service connection of bilateral lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied as he does not meet the schedular criteria for TDIU on a schedular basis, and there is no evidence to support an earlier effective date based on extraschedular considerations.

The Veteran's heart disease, including ischemic heart disease and aortic valve sclerosis, is related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents.,The Veteran's chronic kidney disease is related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded as the Board cannot determine when he first became unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's PTSD rating is being remanded because it was not factually ascertainable that he met the criteria for a 100% rating within one year prior to filing his claim.

The Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance is not due to his service-connected disabilities, but rather to nonservice-connected disabilities. The Board denies the claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and a special home adaptation grant were denied as he does not meet the eligibility criteria under VA regulations.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to service connection, including for low back disability and its associated conditions. The Veteran's claims are being reviewed due to errors in the decision-making process regarding her exposure to toxins during active duty.

The Veteran's claim for ED was denied as there is no current disability.,Right carpal tunnel syndrome was denied due to insufficient evidence linking it to the TERA exposure.,Left carpal tunnel syndrome was denied as the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of this condition.,Right ankle sprain and left foot pes planus were both denied because there is no current disability.,Right foot pes planus was denied due to lack of evidence.,Non-diabetic neuropathy of the right upper extremity was denied as it is currently diagnosed as right carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type I and bilateral lower extremity diabetic neuropathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type I.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as there was no open rating issue to attach the TDIU claim, and the effective date for TDIU is set at January 16, 2024.