The Board denied service connection for loss of use of the right hand, left hand, right foot, and left foot as secondary to diabetic peripheral neuropathy.,The Veteran's claim was not granted because there is no separate diagnosis of a hand or foot disorder distinct from his already service-connected diabetes mellitus.
The deciding factor: There is no current diagnosis of a separate hand or foot disorder that is distinct from the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, and the Board found that any symptoms are secondary to this condition.
- Claimed conditions
- Loss of use of right hand, Loss of use of left hand, Loss of use of right foot, Loss of use of left foot
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 9, 2022
- Citation
- A22024998
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation A22024998.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the loss of use of his left foot was granted effective June 12, 2021. The Board found that he has been entitled to SMC since at least this date.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher level of special monthly compensation (SMC) was denied as the evidence did not show that he required personal health-care services provided on a daily basis in his home by a person who is licensed to provide such services or under the regular supervision of a licensed health-care professional.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the loss of use of her left foot and the need for regular aid and attendance due to her service-connected disabilities.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the claims for special monthly compensation for loss of use of the right foot and both buttocks, as there was no evidence to support a finding that the Veteran would be equally well-served by amputation with a prosthetic appliance.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
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.