The veteran's claim for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant is denied as his service-connected right leg amputation does not preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not show that the veteran's right leg amputation and residuals so affected the functions of balance or propulsion as to preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair.
- Claimed conditions
- Right below-the-knee amputation associated with diabetes mellitus, Diabetic retinopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 12, 2003
- Citation
- 0319942
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0319942.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his bilateral lower extremity neuropathy due to diabetes mellitus, have resulted in loss of use of both lower extremities. The Board has granted eligibility for specially adapted housing and dismissed the claim for a special home adaptation grant as moot.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type I and related conditions due to a need for additional development of the record.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted service connection for diabetic retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, kidney condition, obstructive sleep apnea, asthma, and tinnitus.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and related conditions due to insufficient evidence of in-service herbicide exposure.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.