The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities were denied due to lack of evidence. The claim for increased rating for fibromyalgia was granted, but not in excess of 20 percent prior to April 10, 2017 and 40 percent thereafter. The claims for increased ratings for cold injury residuals with venous insufficiency were also denied.

The deciding factor: The new evidence did not provide sufficient material to substantiate the service connection claims for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities. For fibromyalgia, the Veteran's symptoms have been constant or nearly constant and often precipitated by environmental or emotional stress or overexertion, warranting a 40 percent rating. The cold injury residuals with venous insufficiency did not meet the criteria for higher ratings as they only showed cold sensitivity, locally impaired sensation, patches of numbness, and patches of hair non-growth in the lower extremities.

Claimed conditions

Peripheral neuropathy, Fibromyalgia, Left lower extremity cold injury residuals with venous insufficiency, Right lower extremity cold injury residuals with venous insufficiency

How they argued it

Reopened with new and material evidence

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

40%

Decision date

April 19, 2019

Citation

19130870