The Board has vacated the previous decision and granted all requested benefits, including a 100% evaluation for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and initial evaluations greater than 20 percent for peripheral neuropathy in multiple extremities. The total disability evaluation based upon individual unemployability prior to April 1, 2011, is also granted.
The deciding factor: The Board was notified that a VA Form 21-22 belonging to another veteran had been mistakenly associated with the Veteran's claims file, potentially denying the Veteran due process of law. As a result, the decision must be vacated in part and only the benefits awarded are upheld.
- Claimed conditions
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Peripheral neuropathy (left upper extremity), Peripheral neuropathy (right upper extremity), Peripheral neuropathy (left lower extremity), Peripheral neuropathy (right lower extremity), Total disability evaluation based upon individual unemployability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 4, 2018
- Citation
- 18155245
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 18155245.
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 Veteran's claim for effective dates prior to August 10, 2022 for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities was denied. The Board found that no new and material evidence had been submitted within one year of the May 2004 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation of service connection claims, including hypertension and peripheral neuropathy. The Board found that the evidence did not meet criteria for a compensable rating for hypertension.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted an increase in SMC to the intermediate rate between subsections (m) and (n), effective October 15, 2021, due to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder rated at 100 percent disabling.
- Granted
The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU from May 10, 2006 to January 21, 2019 and special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) effective September 9, 2008 due to his service-connected psychiatric disorder.
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.