That tingling in your hands might have started years ago. Perhaps the burning sensation in your feet is what keeps you up at night. If you served, especially during the Vietnam era, this might not be just a part of getting older. Nerve pain and numbness may qualify as service-connected—especially for Vietnam-era Veterans exposed to Agent Orange. Learn how to prove your claim.
For too long, countless veterans have battled this invisible enemy, thinking it was just something they had to live with. The good news is that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) now recognizes the connection between these symptoms and military service. You can get the VA disability benefits you have earned for your sacrifice.
Understanding how to build your case is the first step toward receiving the disability compensation you deserve. This guide will walk you through the evidence you need and the steps to take. It’s time to get the help you need for your health concerns.
What is Peripheral Neuropathy Anyway?
Let’s put a proper name to what you’re feeling. Doctors call it peripheral neuropathy, a term for damage to the nerves outside your brain and spinal cord. These are the nerves that connect your central nervous system to your limbs, skin, and organs.
Think of your nerves as the body’s wiring, sending critical signals for movement and sensation. When this wiring is damaged, the signals can get crossed, weakened, or completely lost. This miscommunication is what causes the strange and often painful symptoms you experience.
You might feel tingling, numbness, sharp pains, or a persistent burning sensation, most often in your hands and feet. This condition can make simple tasks like buttoning a shirt or walking feel like a major challenge. It is a real medical issue that requires a formal diagnosis and can be the basis for a VA disability claim.
The Direct Link Between Agent Orange and Nerve Pain
If you are a Vietnam veteran, the words Agent Orange likely hold significant weight. This powerful tactical herbicide was used widely during the war to clear vegetation. We now know it contained dioxin, a highly toxic and dangerous chemical with long-lasting effects.
For decades, veterans have suffered from serious illnesses linked to this herbicide exposure. The VA has since established a list of what they call “presumptive conditions” related to Agent Orange exposure. This list is a direct result of advocacy and scientific evidence showing a clear connection between the chemical and specific health problems.
If you have one of these conditions and can prove you served in a qualifying location and time, the VA presumes your service caused your illness. Peripheral neuropathy is on this presumptive list, which is a major advantage for your VA claim. This presumptive service connection makes the claims process much more straightforward.
How to Prove Your Service-Connected Nerve Pain Claim
Knowing you might have a case is one thing, but proving it to the VA is another. Building a successful disability claim requires a structured approach and the right evidence. Following these steps will help you organize your case effectively.
Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility for Presumptive Service Connection
First, you must show the VA that you served in a location where you were likely exposed to Agent Orange. The VA has very specific rules for this, so confirming your service details is the foundation of your claim. For a Vietnam veteran, this typically means proving you had boots on the ground in Vietnam between January 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975.
The eligibility for presumptive service connection has expanded over the years. It now includes Blue Water Navy veterans who served within 12 nautical miles of the coast, as well as those who served on inland waterways. It also covers veterans who served on or near the Korean DMZ during specific periods and Air Force personnel who had repeated contact with C-123 aircraft.
It is important to check the VA’s full eligibility criteria to see where your service fits. If you meet these requirements, you have a strong foundation for your claim based on Agent Orange exposure.
Step 2: Get a Current and Clear Medical Diagnosis
The VA needs current medical evidence that clearly states your diagnosis. You cannot simply tell them your feet burn; a doctor must officially diagnose you with peripheral neuropathy. Your medical records are a critical piece of your disability claim.
Schedule a visit with your primary care doctor or a specialist at a VA health care facility. Explain all your symptoms in detail—the burning, tingling, numbness, and weakness. This documentation is essential, so be sure the doctor records the term “peripheral neuropathy” in your file, as this is the language the VA will be looking for.
Your doctor might order tests like a nerve conduction study or an electromyography (EMG) to confirm the extent of the nerve damage. This objective medical evidence strengthens your case significantly. Make sure you get copies of all test results and doctor’s notes for your records.
Step 3: Collect Your Key Service Records
You have to prove you were where you say you were during your military service. This is where your service records become incredibly important. Your DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) is the most vital document you have.
Your DD-214 shows your dates and locations of service, providing the proof that connects you to a presumptive exposure location. This form is the cornerstone of your VA disability claim. It validates your status as a veteran who served in a place like Vietnam during the specified timeframe.
If you cannot find your copy, there is no need to panic. You can request a free copy of your military service records from the National Archives. Having this official documentation is non-negotiable for the claims process.
Step 4: Write a Powerful and Personal Lay Statement
This is your opportunity to tell your story in your own words. A lay statement, sometimes called a “buddy statement,” describes how your neuropathy affects your daily life. This is not about medical jargon; it’s about the real-world impact of your condition.
Describe what you can and cannot do because of your symptoms. Do your hands shake so much that you can’t hold a coffee cup or tie your shoes? Does the constant pain in your legs prevent you from playing with your grandchildren or going for a walk? Be honest, detailed, and specific.
You can also ask your spouse, a close friend, or another veteran you served with to write a statement on your behalf. They can describe the changes they have seen in you since your symptoms began. These personal accounts add a powerful human element to your file that a cold medical record cannot convey.
Step 5: The Role of a Nexus Letter (If Not Presumptive)
For most Vietnam-era veterans filing for neuropathy, a nexus letter is not needed because of the presumptive service rule. However, it’s good to understand its purpose. A nexus letter is a medical opinion from a doctor that directly links your condition to your military service.
If you are not eligible for a presumptive connection, this letter becomes critical. For instance, if you believe your nerve damage was caused by a training injury instead of Agent Orange exposure, a nexus letter is essential. In that situation, you would need a doctor to write a letter explaining exactly how that specific in-service event caused your current neuropathy.
Other Presumptive Conditions from Herbicide Exposure
Peripheral neuropathy is just one of many health concerns linked to Agent Orange. The VA’s presumptive list covers a wide range of serious illnesses that affect thousands of veterans. Understanding this list can help you or a fellow veteran identify other potential service-connected conditions.
Many of these diseases can take decades to appear, which is why the presumptive rule is so important for public health. Veterans who served in qualifying locations do not have to prove that Agent Orange caused their condition, only that they have been diagnosed with it. This recognition is a victory for veterans and their families.
If you have been diagnosed with any of these conditions, you may be eligible for VA disability compensation. It’s important to discuss all your health issues with your doctor and a veterans’ service officer. You may be able to file a claim for multiple conditions.
What If Your Nerve Pain Isn’t from Agent Orange?
Agent Orange is not the only cause of nerve pain connected to military service. Many veterans from different eras suffer from neuropathy for other service-related reasons. Even without presumptive service, your condition could still be service-connected.
Perhaps you suffered a serious back injury during a training exercise that now causes sciatica, a type of nerve pain that radiates down your leg. Or maybe you were exposed to other toxins or chemicals during your service. In these cases, you would file a claim for direct service connection, which requires a bit more evidence.
For a direct connection, you must prove three things. First, you need a current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy. Second, you must point to a specific injury, event, or illness that occurred during your service. Third, you need that crucial medical nexus to link the first two points together, proving your condition was caused or aggravated by your military duties.
Another path is secondary service connection. For example, many veterans have service-connected diabetes mellitus type 2. Peripheral neuropathy is a very common complication of diabetes, so you can file a claim for neuropathy as a secondary condition. If your diabetes is already service-connected, it becomes much easier to connect the resulting nerve damage.
If you previously filed and had a denied claim, don’t give up. New evidence or a change in law could make you eligible now. You can file a supplemental claim with new and relevant information to have your case reviewed again.
How the VA Rates Peripheral Neuropathy
Once the VA agrees your condition is service-connected, they will assign it a disability rating. This rating is given as a percentage from 0% to 100% and determines the amount of tax-free monthly compensation you will receive. This process is governed by specific VA rating regulations.
The VA rates nerve damage based on its severity and how much it impacts your ability to function. They consider which nerves are affected (motor, sensory, or both) and the degree of the damage. The terms they use are mild, moderate, moderately severe, and severe, which correspond to specific symptoms.
These conditions fall under diagnostic codes in the VA’s Schedule for Rating Disabilities. The compensation based on these ratings is meant to offset the loss of earning capacity caused by the disability. Below is a simplified look at how this often breaks down for a single limb.
A rating can be higher if more than one limb is affected (bilateral factor). The ratings can also be combined with other service-connected conditions. It is all about the overall impact on your ability to work and perform daily activities. A disability law professional can help you understand your potential rating.
Conclusion
The pain you’re feeling is real, and its connection to your service is something you no longer have to prove alone. The path to getting VA compensation benefits can feel long, but it’s a journey worth taking for your health and financial well-being. The system is in place because your sacrifice earned you these benefits.
It’s true that your nerve pain and numbness may qualify as service-connected—especially for Vietnam-era Veterans exposed to Agent Orange. Learn how to prove your claim with the right paperwork, a clear diagnosis, and your own powerful story. Many resources are available to help you, who specialize in VA claims.
Whether you’re just starting the claims process or appealing a denied claim, knowledge is your greatest tool. Don’t let your condition go unrecognized. It’s time to get the support and recognition you have rightfully earned.