The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected diabetic peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities does not warrant a higher disability rating as it is currently rated, and effective dates for increased ratings are moot due to the current effective date.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence shows mild incomplete paralysis in both lower extremities, which corresponds to the current 10% disability ratings assigned. The veteran's obesity contributed to his difficulty walking but did not affect the severity of the neuropathy itself.
- Claimed conditions
- Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy of the Left Lower Extremity, Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy of the Right Lower Extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- March 24, 2006
- Citation
- 0608519
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for type II diabetes mellitus, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted eligibility for specially adapted housing due to a permanent and total disability involving the loss of use of both lower extremities, which precludes locomotion without the regular and constant use of assistive devices.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, and dismissed his appeals for ratings in excess of 20 percent for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities and service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities due to untimely notice of disagreement.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for GERD, a compensable rating for osteoporosis, and service connection for various conditions including a left knee disability, an acquired psychiatric disorder, sterility, hypertension, and diabetes.
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