The Veteran's diabetes is rated at 20 percent, with no higher rating granted.,Bilateral diabetic retinopathy secondary to service-connected diabetes is granted as a separate condition.,Peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity and right lower extremity are each rated at 10 percent.,Peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity and right upper extremity are each rated at 10 percent.,PTSD is rated at 70 percent, with no higher rating granted.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support a higher rating for diabetes mellitus type II as the Veteran’s diabetes requires insulin and a restricted diet but no regulation of activities, with mild diabetic neuropathy.,Bilateral diabetic retinopathy is granted as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.,Peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity and right lower extremity are each rated at 10 percent based on mild incomplete paralysis.,Peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity and right upper extremity are each rated at 10 percent based on mild incomplete paralysis.,PTSD is rated at 70 percent as there is no evidence of severe or complete paralysis, only moderate incomplete paralysis.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.
- Claimed conditions
- Diabetes mellitus type II (diabetes), Bilateral diabetic retinopathy, Peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity (PN LLE), Peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity (PN RLE), Peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity (PN LUE), Peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity (PN RUE), Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- March 7, 2019
- Citation
- 19116681
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,062 · Granted: 34% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 19116681.
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- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has identified a contradiction in the AOJ's determinations regarding the Veteran's need for aid and assistance, which requires clarification. The remanded issues are entitlement to SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another and on the basis of statutory housebound status.
- Dismissed
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