The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is rated based on the severity of symptoms, with a maximum rating of 20% for moderate incomplete paralysis. The issues regarding service connection for swallowing/breathing problems and peripheral neuropathy are remanded.,Service connection for both peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities has been granted, but the Veteran's claims for service connection for swallowing/breathing problems remain pending.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations did not provide a current diagnosis for the claimed swallowing disorder or breathing disorder. The medical records do not indicate any pathology that would support a current diagnosis.,There is no evidence of an in-service injury, event, or illness that could have caused the Veteran's current symptoms.
- Claimed conditions
- Peripheral neuropathy of left lower extremity, Peripheral neuropathy of right lower extremity, Swallowing/breathing problems
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 18, 2019
- Citation
- 19172529
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 19172529.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's SMC was granted at the intermediate level between 38 U.S.C. § 1114(m) and (n) due to additional disabilities including peripheral neuropathies, tinnitus, hearing loss, and lymphoma.
- Granted
The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is granted service connection as it is at least as likely as not related to an in-service injury.,The Veteran's left and right lower extremity neuropathy are also granted service connection as they are due to his service-connected back condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The appeal is remanded to obtain a TERA memorandum and medical opinions addressing the Veteran's claimed conditions, including diabetes mellitus, renal failure, peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, and an acquired psychiatric disorder, in relation to his service and exposure to toxic substances.
- Denied
The Board finds that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities is not related to service, including herbicide agent exposure in Thailand.
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