The Veteran's right upper extremity diabetic neuropathy was granted a disability rating of 70 percent effective September 12, 2019.,The Veteran's left upper extremity diabetic neuropathy was granted a disability rating of 60 percent effective September 12, 2019.,Service connection for diabetic nephropathy was granted with an effective date of July 29, 2016.,SMC based on loss of use of both hands was granted with an effective date of July 29, 2016.,SMC based on need of regular aid and attendance due to loss of use of both hands was granted.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's right upper extremity diabetic neuropathy resulted in severe incomplete paralysis of all radicular groups but not complete paralysis since September 12, 2019.,The Veteran's left upper extremity diabetic neuropathy also resulted in severe incomplete paralysis of all radicular groups but not complete paralysis since September 12, 2019.,Beginning July 29, 2016, it was factually ascertainable that the Veteran was diagnosed with diabetic nephropathy and granted service connection for this condition.,SMC based on loss of use of both hands was granted due to the Veteran's bilateral upper extremity disability resulting in effective function remaining only through prosthetic appliances.,SMC based on need of regular aid and attendance due to loss of use of both hands was granted as the Veteran required assistance from another person.
- Claimed conditions
- Diabetic neuropathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- May 4, 2020
- Citation
- 20030985
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 20030985.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's bilateral upper extremity diabetic neuropathy is rated at 50 percent since July 25, 2019. The rating for left lower extremity diabetic neuropathy prior to May 21, 2019, was denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for a combined effects VA opinion on the impact of his service-connected disabilities since January 12, 2024. The AOJ should obtain this opinion and consider all conditions in determining whether he can secure or follow substantially gainful employment.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran requires a higher level of care and when he was in need of such care. The appellant is asked to provide private treatment records from hospitalizations in February 2023 and November 2023, or authorize VA to obtain them.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to incomplete military records and need for further examination.
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