The Veteran's right and left leg neuropathies are rated at 40 percent each, effective October 17, 2016. The Veteran is also granted Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) based on the loss of use of both feet due to service-connected bilateral leg neuropathy.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations and medical evidence consistently showed moderately severe incomplete paralysis in the Veteran's legs, warranting a 40 percent rating for each leg. The Board found that the Veteran’s service-connected bilateral leg neuropathy caused functional impairments that precluded unassisted balance and propulsion to such degree that he would have been equally well served by use of suitable prosthetic appliance.
- Claimed conditions
- diabetes mellitus, right leg neuropathy, left leg neuropathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- August 17, 2018
- Citation
- 18127609
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 18127609.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, visual impairment, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction due to lack of exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Veteran's claims were not granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection on the merits are being remanded due to new evidence and development needs. The maximum disability rating for tinnitus has already been assigned.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, ischemic heart disease, right lower extremity peripheral artery disease, left lower extremity peripheral artery disease, and hypertension as the evidence did not establish an in-service event or exposure to herbicide agents.
- Granted
The Veteran's Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular Aid and Attendance is granted as of April 25, 2024.,For diabetes mellitus, a rating in excess of 20 percent is denied.
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