The Board denied higher initial ratings for diabetes and peripheral neuropathies, as well as earlier effective dates for service connection and increased ratings.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support a higher rating or an earlier effective date due to the severity of the conditions remaining within the criteria for the assigned ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- Diabetes mellitus, type II, Left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, sciatic nerve, Right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, sciatic nerve, Left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, femoral nerve, Right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, femoral nerve, Left upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, Right upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, Cardiac disability (coronary artery disease status post coronary artery bypass graft (CABG))
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 15, 2024
- Citation
- A24065998
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the R(1) rate due to his need for regular aid and attendance.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's cause of death, finding no evidence that his death was related to any injury or disease in service, including exposure to herbicide agents.
- Dismissed
The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.
- Granted
The Board granted earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for DM II, left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
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