The Board denied higher ratings for the Veteran's left and right lower extremity radiculopathy with diabetic peripheral neuropathy, but granted separate 20 percent ratings from October 28, 2024, for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy affecting the femoral nerve. The Board also denied higher ratings for the Veteran's left and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The deciding factor: The severity of the Veteran's conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes, but separate evaluations were warranted based on the involvement of multiple nerve branches.

Claimed conditions

left lower extremity radiculopathy with diabetic peripheral neuropathy affecting the sciatic nerve, right lower extremity radiculopathy with diabetic peripheral neuropathy affecting the sciatic nerve, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

November 28, 2025

Citation

25014343

Want to see how appeals like this one tend to go? Appeals like mine