The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating.,The Veteran’s peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are currently rated at 10 percent each. The Board has found no basis for a higher rating based on the current evidence.,The Veteran's cataracts are rated at 0 percent, as they do not meet any criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 6027 or other relevant codes.,Issues related to PTSD, TDIU, and DEA benefits have been remanded.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's diabetes mellitus does not require regulation of activities as part of its management, thus preventing a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7913. The evidence does not support a finding that the disability has reached the level required for a 40 percent rating.,The objective evidence shows moderate impairment resulting from the neurological symptoms of the bilateral upper and lower extremities associated with diabetes mellitus, but not greater than what is currently rated at 20 percent for each extremity. The Veteran's subjective complaints do not warrant higher ratings based on his reported symptoms.,The Veteran’s cataracts are rated under Diagnostic Code 6027, which rates preoperative cataracts based on visual impairment. Given the current evidence and lack of further unaddressed complications, no basis exists for a higher rating.,Issues related to PTSD, TDIU, and DEA benefits have been remanded due to insufficient evidence or procedural issues.
- Claimed conditions
- diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, cataracts
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 13, 2019
- Citation
- 19162613
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 19162613.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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- Denied
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- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for asthma and remanded the claims for sinus disability, bilateral hip disability, right shoulder disability, hypertension, sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, skin disability, back disability, bilateral neurological disability of the upper extremities, and bilateral neurological disability of the lower extremities.
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