The Veteran's DMII is rated at 20 percent, and his bilateral lower extremity PN prior to October 13, 2017 are each rated at 20 percent. Effective October 13, 2017, the Veteran's left and right lower extremity PN are both rated at 40 percent.,The Veteran is granted separate ratings of 30 percent for his left upper extremity PN and 20 percent for his right upper extremity PN as of October 13, 2017. Service connection for depressive disorder due to another medical condition with depressed features secondary to service-connected disabilities is also granted.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations supported the findings that the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity neuropathy warranted a higher rating effective October 13, 2017.
- Claimed conditions
- Diabetes Mellitus, Type II, Left Lower Extremity Peripheral Neuropathy, Right Lower Extremity Peripheral Neuropathy, Depressive Disorder
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- August 20, 2019
- Citation
- 19164590
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,341 · Granted: 33% (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 19164590.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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- Granted
The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, specifically depressive disorder, is rated at 70 percent effective from August 3, 2021. The claim for a higher rating remains denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's service-connected Depressive Disorder is causing him to require regular assistance in keeping himself clean and presentable, which may qualify him for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance. The case is being remanded to schedule a VA examination to assess this issue.
- Granted
The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of service connection (January 23, 2020), due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.
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