The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his thoracolumbar spine disability, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine or moderately severe impairment in either lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, which are required for higher ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease of the Thoracolumbar Spine, Peripheral Neuropathy, Right Lower Extremity, Peripheral Neuropathy, Left Lower Extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 12, 2016
- Citation
- 1614792
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 1614792.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for left hip disability and peripheral neuropathy due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including obtaining medical records and an adequate VA examination.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted higher ratings for peripheral neuropathy in the right and left upper extremities and lower extremities, but denied a higher rating for diabetes mellitus type II.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's cause of death was attributed to adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) due to underlying influenza type A, with contributing causes being chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The VA medical opinions found no direct nexus between the Veteran's COPD, CLL, or ARDS and toxic exposures other than herbicide agents during active duty service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine, cervical spine, and TMJ with osteomyelitis are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations. The cases will be returned for additional development.
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