Peripheral neuropathy results from damage to the peripheral nerves, which transmit information between the brain, spinal cord, and the rest of the body. This nerve damage typically manifests as pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness, most often in the hands and feet. Neuropathy is a common condition among veterans. It is considered a ratable VA disability eligible for compensation if it is connected to a veteran’s military service.
Establishing Service Connection
Establishing a direct link, or service connection, between the current medical condition and military service is required for a neuropathy claim. The VA requires three elements to consider the condition compensable.
Three Elements of Service Connection
The first element is a current diagnosis of neuropathy from a licensed medical professional. The second requirement is evidence of an in-service event, injury, or illness that occurred during military service, such as a traumatic injury or toxic exposure. The final element is the medical nexus, which links the current diagnosis to the in-service event.
The medical nexus must be a formal physician’s opinion stating that the neuropathy is “at least as likely as not” due to the service-related incident. This opinion is often provided in a nexus letter. Service connection can also be established by aggravation, where military service worsened a pre-existing condition beyond its natural progression.
How Neuropathy is Evaluated and Rated
The VA translates a neuropathy diagnosis into a compensation percentage based on the severity of symptoms and functional loss. Neuropathy is rated analogously under the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities, often using diagnostic codes for nerve paralysis (e.g., code 8520 for the sciatic nerve). The percentage is determined by evaluating both sensory symptoms (pain and numbness) and motor symptoms (muscle weakness and paralysis).
The rating schedule assigns percentages ranging from 10% for mild cases up to 80% for severe impairment. A 10% rating involves slight sensory symptoms, such as mild tingling. A 20% rating indicates noticeable sensory loss and slight motor impairment.
Higher percentages are reserved for severe functional limitations. A moderately severe rating (40% to 60%) involves marked muscular atrophy and profound sensory loss. The maximum rating of 80% for a single nerve, like the sciatic nerve, is assigned for complete paralysis, meaning no active movement is possible below the knee. Since the VA rates based on the specific nerve affected, a veteran can receive a separate rating for each affected extremity.
Qualifying Through Secondary Conditions
Neuropathy can be service-connected as a secondary condition, meaning it is caused or aggravated by an existing service-connected disability. This is a common pathway for veterans to receive compensation.
Secondary Connection Examples
Diabetic neuropathy is a frequent example, developing as a complication of Type 2 Diabetes that is already service-connected. If the veteran’s diabetes is acknowledged by the VA, the resulting nerve damage can be claimed as a secondary disability. Similarly, an orthopedic condition, such as a severe back injury or spinal stenosis, can lead to nerve compression and radiculopathy, a form of peripheral neuropathy.
Presumptive Connection
Neuropathy may also qualify for a presumptive service connection, which streamlines the claims process. For instance, early-onset peripheral neuropathy that became at least 10% disabling within one year of discharge is presumed connected for veterans exposed to Agent Orange. This presumptive status removes the requirement for the veteran to provide a specific medical nexus linking the condition to the in-service exposure.
Required Medical Evidence for a Successful Claim
A successful claim relies on providing comprehensive medical evidence to the VA. The Compensation & Pension (C&P) examination is mandatory, where a VA-appointed physician assesses the condition. During this exam, the veteran must accurately report the frequency and severity of all symptoms, including pain, numbness, and functional limitations.
Objective diagnostic tests are crucial for confirming the diagnosis. These tests often include Electromyography (EMG) and Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS), which measure the electrical activity of muscles and the speed of electrical signals through the nerves. The results provide measurable data supporting the veteran’s reported symptoms.
Detailed treatment records from both VA and private physicians are necessary. A private nexus opinion from a medical professional is valuable, especially if it explicitly links the neuropathy diagnosis to the service-connected primary condition or in-service event. The veteran must ensure all documentation clearly details the type, location, and functional impact of the nerve damage to substantiate the claim.