The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings and SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance are being remanded due to procedural errors.
The deciding factor: There were pre-decisional duties not fulfilled, specifically regarding the assignment of initial ratings and the provision of a VA examination related to the service-connected psychiatric disorder.
- Claimed conditions
- Peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity, sciatic nerve, Peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity, sciatic nerve
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 13, 2022
- Citation
- A22020759
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 A22020759.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy and remanded claims related to eye conditions and TDIU.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for PTSD with memory loss and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claims for detached retina, left eye, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities were remanded.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and all claims for increased ratings or entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability have been dismissed.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's diabetes mellitus has not required one or more daily injections of insulin, restricted diet, and regulation of activities to warrant a higher initial rating.,The Veteran's bilateral tinea pedis is currently rated as 0 percent due to the absence of systemic therapy. Further examination is needed to determine if his current treatment qualifies as such.,The Veteran's chloracne has not been found to cause deep acne other than on the face and neck, warranting a compensable rating.,For the left lower extremity, sciatic nerve, the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy was rated at 10 percent prior to August 4, 2022; and in excess of 20 percent since that date. Further examination is needed to determine if this rating should be changed.,For the right lower extremity, sciatic nerve, the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy was also rated at 10 percent prior to August 4, 2022; and in excess of 20 percent since that date. Further examination is needed to determine if this rating should be changed.,The Veteran's left lower extremity, femoral nerve, peripheral neuropathy has been rated at 10 percent. Further examination is needed to determine if a higher rating is warranted.,For the right lower extremity, femoral nerve, the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy was also rated at 10 percent. Further examination is needed to determine if a higher rating is warranted.
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