The Board denied increased disability ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, finding that symptoms did not meet criteria for a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms were found to be consistent with moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve, which does not warrant a 60% rating under Diagnostic Code 8520.
- Claimed conditions
- diabetic peripheral neuropathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- October 13, 2020
- Citation
- 20066272
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy as it is etiologically linked to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes. Other claims were remanded for further development.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error and to obtain additional medical opinions.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for ischemic heart disease, syncope, diabetes mellitus, Type-II, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, bilateral hearing loss, and fracture of two upper teeth due to procedural defects in the Veteran's filings.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and denied service connection for hypertension, coronary artery disease (CAD), diabetes mellitus, type I and II, right foot osteoarthritis, headaches, steatosis, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
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