The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's service-connected left foot neuropathy, finding that the disability is moderately severe but not severe enough to warrant a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found moderate impairment of the left foot, with no indication of symptoms such as limitation of motion or instability. The Board considered other diagnostic codes and found none applicable for a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- left foot neuropathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- December 7, 2020
- Citation
- A20018022
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied increased ratings for sleep apnea, left ankle scar, painful left ankle scar, acquired psychiatric disability (major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder), left foot metatarsalgia, and right knee limitation of flexion. The Board granted a 20 percent rating for left foot neuropathy and 20 percent rating for right knee limitation of extension.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for left and right foot neuropathy to correct a pre-decisional error in obtaining adequate medical opinions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for various foot disabilities, including pes planus, plantar fasciitis, Haglund's deformity, neuropathy, and heel spurs of both feet, to obtain additional evidence and a medical examination.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various disabilities and an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, as the evidence did not support a finding of current disability or a relationship to service.
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