The Veteran's service-connected left and right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy have been granted increased ratings of 60 percent each. Service connection for an upper back condition has been denied.
The deciding factor: Service connection was denied as there is no evidence of a separate upper back disability during the appeal period, with all reported symptoms already contemplated by his service-connected low back disability.
- Claimed conditions
- left lower extremity diabetic neuropathy, right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy, upper back condition
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- October 21, 2021
- Citation
- 21064734
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 21064734.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal. The issues concerning effective dates and disability ratings are not addressed as they were not decided.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and left and right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, neck pain, and upper back conditions due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran contends that his current disabilities are related to an in-service injury during a softball game.
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