The Board denied ratings higher than 10 percent for bilateral lower extremity diabetic neuropathy prior to February 9, 2023 and higher than 20 percent on February 9, 2023 and thereafter. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was granted prior to February 13, 2015.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity diabetic neuropathy resulted in at most mild incomplete paralysis bilaterally prior to February 9, 2023 and moderate incomplete paralysis on February 9, 2023 and thereafter. The evidence did not support a finding of unemployability prior to February 13, 2015.
- Claimed conditions
- left lower extremity diabetic neuropathy, right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 1, 2025
- Citation
- 25008703
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 Board granted service connection for diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy, and left lower extremity diabetic neuropathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for an evaluation more than 10 percent for right and left lower extremity diabetic neuropathy to obtain a retrospective VA medical opinion regarding the ameliorative effects of medication.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an effective date of December 8, 2017, for the grant of service connection for rhinitis but denied initial compensable ratings and higher ratings for other conditions.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for tinnitus was granted, while the appeals for diabetes mellitus type II and lower extremity diabetic neuropathy were withdrawn. The claim for a low back disorder is remanded due to an inadequate VA examination.
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