The Board denied all claims for increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, upper and lower extremity neuropathies, erectile dysfunction, and diabetic retinopathy. The Veteran's conditions were found to be stable or not severe enough to warrant higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show that the Veteran’s conditions met the criteria for higher ratings based on severity of symptoms or functional impairment.
- Claimed conditions
- Diabetes Mellitus, Right Upper Extremity Neuropathy, Left Upper Extremity Neuropathy, Right Lower Extremity Neuropathy, Left Lower Extremity Neuropathy, Erectile Dysfunction, Mild Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- January 16, 2019
- Citation
- 19103920
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board denied a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction and a higher rating for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy with muscle weakness, but granted an earlier effective date for the 60 percent disability rating for thrombosis, TIA or cerebral infarction with impairment of sphincter control and voiding dysfunction, and for service connection for pharynx and/or larynx and/or swallowing conditions residuals.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD with MDD, service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to the service-connected condition, and SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance. However, it denied SMC based on housebound status.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 30 percent evaluation for tension headaches effective September 13, 2022, but denied earlier effective dates and service connection for various conditions.
- Partly granted
The Board denied an increased evaluation for the Veteran's psychiatric disability and granted TDIU beginning April 5, 2022.
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