The Veteran's initial claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus required only restricted diet and an oral glycemic agent, not meeting the criteria for a higher 20 percent rating. For his peripheral neuropathies, the Board determined that they were primarily manifested by decreased vibration sensation, some decreased light touch sensation, and subjective complaints of tingling in the feet, which is more consistent with moderate incomplete paralysis rather than moderately severe or complete paralysis.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his peripheral neuropathies were characterized primarily as mild to moderate incomplete paralysis without evidence of marked muscular atrophy or complete paralysis.
- Claimed conditions
- Diabetes Mellitus type II, Right Lower Extremity Peripheral Neuropathy, Left Lower Extremity Peripheral Neuropathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 3, 2021
- Citation
- 21026608
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 21026608.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his claims of service connection for PTSD, a rating increase for PTSD, and service connection for pancreatic cancer secondary to diabetes.
- Granted
Service connection for OSA is granted, and the Veteran's initial ratings for atrial fibrillation, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity neuralgia, and left upper extremity neuralgia are all granted at 10 percent.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's TDIU and DEA claims are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors prior to the rating decision on review. The effective date for TDIU is set at January 31, 2021, based on the last day of employment. However, the RO needs to obtain SSA records regarding earnings from July 2020 to January 31, 2021, to determine if the Veteran's employment was marginal.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.
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