Peripheral neuropathy is the term for damage to nerves of the peripheral nervous system, which may be caused either by diseases of the nerve or from the side-effects of systemic illness.  Peripheral neuropathy often causes weakness, numbness and pain, usually in your hands and feet, but it may also occur in other areas of your body.  Some forms of neuropathy involve damage to only one nerve and are called mononeuropathies. More often though, multiple nerves affecting all limbs are affected-called polyneuropathy.

Can you get disability benefits for peripheral neuropathy?  Like any other condition or impairment, the peripheral neuropathy must severely limit a claimants ability to work. The listing that applies for  peripheral neuropathy is found at listing 11.14 under neurological disorders.  To meet the criteria, there must be significant and persistent disorganization of motor function in two extremities resulting in sustained disturbance of gross and dexterous movements, or gait and station.

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