The Veteran's bowel incontinence is currently rated as 60 percent disabling. The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to a 100 percent evaluation for bowel incontinence, which is the maximum schedular evaluation available. For his service-connected diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities, the Veteran's claim is remanded due to the need for additional VA examination.
The deciding factor: The Veteran testified that he cannot grasp or hold anything, is unable to close his hand completely, experiences complete paralysis of both hands, cannot drive, cannot bend his thumbs all the way, cannot move his wrist freely, and cannot button clothing, cook, or eat with utensils. His testimony suggests a worsening of symptoms since his last VA examination.
- Claimed conditions
- bowel incontinence, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 26, 2022
- Citation
- 22054791
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 22054791.
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 Veteran's bowel incontinence is rated at 60 percent, but not more. The Board also granted a TDIU prior to January 18, 2013.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 100% disability rating effective June 8, 2020. The appeal for earlier effective dates for the service-connected disabilities is denied.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for bowel incontinence and residuals scarring associated with a colon biopsy are denied, as is his claim for service connection for chronic headaches. His claims for lumbosacral strain and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy are granted.
- Granted
The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II has been granted an increased rating of 40 percent, but no higher, for diabetic peripheral neuropathy affecting the left lower extremity.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II has also been granted an increased rating of 40 percent, but no higher, for diabetic peripheral neuropathy affecting the right lower extremity.
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