WingmanOpen the free toolsWingmanOpen the free toolsIf the VA already service-connected your peripheral neuropathy (also called peripheral neuropathy, nerve damage, numbness and tingling, neuropathy), it can cause or worsen other conditions that are ratable on their own. These "secondary" claims are where many veterans leave money on the table. Below is what a service-connected peripheral neuropathy commonly leads to, why, and what evidence each one takes.
A secondary claim only works if the primary condition (peripheral neuropathy) is already service-connected, and you have a nexus — a doctor's opinion that it is "at least as likely as not" the cause. More on nexus letters →
Numbness and loss of position sense in the feet raise the risk of falls, which can cause fractures and joint injuries.
What you'd need: Documentation of neuropathy-related falls and a diagnosis of the resulting injury linked by opinion.
Loss of sensation lets minor foot injuries go unnoticed, leading to ulcers and skin breakdown (especially with underlying diabetes).
What you'd need: A diagnosis of the foot ulcer/skin condition and a note linking it to the neuropathy.
Chronic burning/tingling pain and loss of function can lead to depression or anxiety.
What you'd need: A mental health diagnosis and a nexus opinion linking it to the chronic neuropathic pain.