The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities were denied as his symptoms did not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners found that the Veteran’s symptoms, while causing discomfort, did not meet the criteria for more severe incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.
- Claimed conditions
- diabetic peripheral neuropathy (left lower extremity), diabetic peripheral neuropathy (right lower extremity)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 6, 2020
- Citation
- 20064617
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,569 · Granted: 26% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed 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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 20064617.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial disability ratings were denied. The Veteran was granted a rating of 40 percent, but no higher, for diabetic peripheral neuropathy affecting the right lower extremity and left lower extremity, and a rating of 20 percent, but no higher, for diabetic peripheral neuropathy affecting the left upper extremity (minor).
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for chronic kidney disease, diabetes mellitus type II, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of all extremities, hypertension, and coronary artery disease, but denied earlier effective dates for bilateral hearing loss and surgical scar of the low back, midline. The Board also remanded claims for service connection for various disabilities.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied earlier effective dates for the awards of separate 20 percent ratings for right and left lower extremity femoral nerve diabetic peripheral neuropathy, as well as a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to in-service exposure to toxic chemicals and diesel fuel, as well as other identified TERAs. The Veteran's Type II diabetes mellitus, recurrent neurological disabilities, thyroid disability, and prostate cancer are being reviewed.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.