The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral ankle and foot disabilities. However, his claims for service connection are denied as there is no medical evidence linking these disabilities to active military service or to a service-connected condition. The Veteran's current diagnoses of diabetic peripheral neuropathy have been rated at 10 percent each since March 4, 2013.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran did not provide sufficient evidence to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection and concluded that there is no medical evidence linking his bilateral ankle and foot disabilities or diabetic peripheral neuropathy to active military service. The current ratings are based on the severity of symptoms as described by the VA examinations.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral degenerative joint disease of the ankles and feet, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 6, 2014
- Citation
- 1420336
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1420336.
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 connection claims for DMII, bilateral lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and bowel resection are granted. The claim for OSA is denied.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II has been granted an increased rating of 40 percent, but no higher, for diabetic peripheral neuropathy affecting the left lower extremity.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II has also been granted an increased rating of 40 percent, but no higher, for diabetic peripheral neuropathy affecting the right lower extremity.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus, type II is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating for diabetes mellitus, type II is denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for cataracts and diabetic retinopathy/glaucoma are denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, left lower extremity, right upper extremity, and left upper extremity as proximately due to diabetes mellitus, type II are granted.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including prostate cancer, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type II, diabetic nephropathy and end stage renal disease with dialysis, diabetic peripheral neuropathies of various extremities, erectile dysfunction, lumbar spine strain with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome, and bilateral knee replacements, do not meet the criteria for service connection based on direct evidence or presumptive exposure to herbicide agents. The Board also found that there was no qualifying exposure to toxic environmental exposures during service.
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.