The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings were denied. The LLE and RLE peripheral neuropathy received a 40% rating from May 22, 2017 onwards, while the diabetes mellitus was granted a 40% rating from June 29, 2017 onwards. The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings of his upper extremities were denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings as it failed to show severe incomplete paralysis or complete paralysis in any of the conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity (LLE), Peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity (RLE), Diabetes mellitus, Peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity (LUE), Peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity (RUE)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 8, 2019
- Citation
- 19126721
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 service connection for diabetes type II, peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, and neuropathy of the right and left arms. An effective date of May 28, 2020, was granted for the grant of service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease status post coronary artery bypass graft and atrial fibrillation.
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