The Board remands the matter for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the Veteran's lower extremities, considering the ameliorative effects of any medication.
The deciding factor: The October 2015 VA examination report lacks necessary medical evidence needed to decide the claim and fails to discuss the Veteran's use of medication and any ameliorative effects of that use.
- Claimed conditions
- Diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, Diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 12, 2021
- Citation
- 21062888
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.
- Granted
The Board granted initial evaluations of 20 percent for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, based on moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.
- Partly granted
The Veteran is granted an effective date of May 13, 2019, for the award of special monthly compensation (SMC) and a certificate of eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, as secondary to obstructive sleep apnea and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, all as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for increased ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities due to non-compliance with previous remand directives.
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.