The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower left and right extremities is currently rated at 10 percent. The May 2014 VA examination found mild intermittent pain, paresthesias, and numbness in both legs, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran has service-connected disabilities including bilateral hearing loss, bowel perforation status post right hemicolectomy, diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy, erectile dysfunction associated with diabetes mellitus type II, and status post incisional ventral hernia repair. The VA examiner found that these conditions do not preclude the Veteran from securing or following substantially gainful employment.
The deciding factor: The May 2014 VA examination did not find moderate incomplete paralysis in either lower extremity, which is required for a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Peripheral neuropathy of the lower left extremity, Peripheral neuropathy of the lower right extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 19, 2017
- Citation
- 1740581
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 1740581.
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 Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper right, left extremities and lower limbs due to herbicide exposure during service. The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent throughout the appeal period.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper left, upper right, lower left, and lower right extremities due to a medical nexus between in-service exposure and current diagnoses.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to missing records, including those from Mountain View Regional Medical Center. The issues are also inextricably intertwined with the SMC claim based on anatomical loss of the right foot.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to exposure to herbicide agents, as the VA examinations were inadequate. The Veteran's lay statements and medical records indicate symptoms since service, but the VA examiner found no early-onset peripheral neuropathy related to herbicide exposure.
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