Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2026

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

The Veteran's spouse is seeking to be substituted as the appellant for claims of service connection filed by the Veteran in August 2017. The AOJ has not yet determined whether she meets the requirements to substitute, and this issue must be remanded.

The Veteran's current peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities was incurred during his period of active service, including exposure to herbicides in the Republic of Vietnam. The Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including diverticulosis, erectile dysfunction (ED), an acquired psychiatric disorder, cirrhosis of the liver, anemia, chronic kidney disease, polyneuropathy, acute gastritis with hemorrhage, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's right and left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerves are granted at a 40 percent rating, but no higher, from March 31, 2022.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on appeal are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and correction of pre-decisional errors in the duty to assist.

The Veteran's claim for SMC at the (r-1) level is granted due to his service-connected PTSD and diabetic peripheral neuropathy, as he requires regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted as secondary to his service-connected asbestosis disability. The Veteran's right and left upper extremity polyneuropathy are each rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance since August 10, 2007 due to service-connected bilateral upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The SMC was also granted effective March 21, 2011 for the need of aid and attendance due to a service-connected depressive disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD alone does not render him unable to obtain and sustain substantially gainful employment, as his unemployment is primarily due to physical disabilities including bilateral knee conditions, sleep apnea, and neuropathy.

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

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial disability ratings were denied. The Veteran was granted a rating of 40 percent, but no higher, for diabetic peripheral neuropathy affecting the right lower extremity and left lower extremity, and a rating of 20 percent, but no higher, for diabetic peripheral neuropathy affecting the left upper extremity (minor).

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type 2 and associated neuropathy in both upper and lower extremities are granted with a 60 percent disability rating, effective October 21, 2019.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as the condition did not manifest during active-duty service or within one year thereafter, and there was no causal relationship to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's claim is denied under a direct theory of service connection.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, finding no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after service and noting that the Veteran's current symptoms are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to errors in obtaining private treatment records and issues related to TDIU determination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the stomach condition and readjudication of left leg, right leg neuropathy, and sleep apnea syndromes claims has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, spinal disability, and hypertension with acute renal failure are all granted. The rating for spinal disability is restored to 20 percent effective January 6, 2020. An increased rating for hypertension with acute renal failure is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher level of SMC was denied as he does not meet the criteria for SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(r)(1) due to lack of blindness or deafness resulting from service-connected disability, and his current disabilities do not warrant an increase in SMC.