The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the left arm is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as there is no evidence of severe incomplete paralysis.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of the evidence shows mild to moderate incomplete paralysis of the radial nerve in the Veteran's left arm, which does not meet the criteria for a 40 percent evaluation (severe incomplete paralysis).
- Claimed conditions
- Peripheral neuropathy of the left arm
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- November 8, 2019
- Citation
- 19184897
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has dismissed the appeals for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the left arm, a compensable evaluation for a left arm scar, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and a hearing loss disability. The issues of entitlement to earlier effective dates for service connection for PTSD and an increased rating for PTSD are remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, left arm, and right arm, as well as autonomic neuropathy, all related to Agent Orange exposure. The case is being returned to VA for further examination and opinion.
- Denied
The veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right and left arms was not found to warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, as the disability picture more closely approximated mild incomplete paralysis.
- Denied
The veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for Type II Diabetes Mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the arms and legs, and bilateral proliferative diabetic retinopathy were denied. The veteran was also denied service connection for a stroke secondary to his diabetes.
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