The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity diabetic neuropathy is currently evaluated at 20 percent each, and the Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of the evidence shows no residuals of left leg thrombophlebitis other than varicose veins. The symptoms of right and left lower extremity diabetic neuropathy more nearly approximated moderately severe incomplete paralysis, warranting a 40 percent evaluation under Diagnostic Code 8520.
- Claimed conditions
- diabetes mellitus, left lower extremity diabetic neuropathy, right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- October 19, 2020
- Citation
- 20067503
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.
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- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for right foot, left elbow, left hip, left ankle, and diabetes mellitus to obtain additional medical evidence.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for cervical spine condition, diabetes mellitus, heart condition, lumbar spine condition, and urinary frequency and voiding condition as there was no evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service incurrence or aggravation.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy, and left lower extremity diabetic neuropathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected conditions.
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