The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and denied entitlement to earlier effective dates. The Veteran's claim was based on his service-connected diabetes mellitus.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show that the Veteran experienced moderate incomplete paralysis or muscle weakness, which would warrant a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Peripheral neuropathy, Diabetes mellitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- January 22, 2019
- Citation
- 19105042
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.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the R(1) rate due to his need for regular aid and attendance.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's cause of death, finding no evidence that his death was related to any injury or disease in service, including exposure to herbicide agents.
- Dismissed
The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, as the evidence did not support the need for insulin or episodes of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions requiring hospitalization.
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