The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation for the loss of use of both lower extremities is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the extent of his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to walk.
The deciding factor: The Veteran needs an assessment by a VA examiner to determine if his service-connected conditions, including bilateral peripheral neuropathy and residuals of right fibula fracture, result in disability equivalent to loss of use of both feet.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral peripheral neuropathy, residuals of right fibula fracture
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 16, 2011
- Citation
- 1123167
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 1123167.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
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 claim for service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy as there is no evidence of a current disability.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities significantly contributed to his loss of use of both hands, requiring regular aid and attendance. The Board granted SMC based on this condition.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate was denied as he does not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on one service-connected condition, and his conditions do not independently warrant SMC.
- Granted
The Veteran's diabetes, bilateral peripheral neuropathy, and chronic renal disease are part of a single disease process. The Board granted SMC at the housebound rate from April 21, 2023, based on his service-connected disabilities that are not part of the diabetic process.
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