The Board granted initial ratings of 70 percent for right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, 60 percent for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and 30 percent each for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (femoral and sciatic nerves), while denying an increased rating for allergic rhinitis and granting a 10 percent rating for chloracne of the face, arms, and back prior to September 27, 2018.

The deciding factor: The Board resolved doubt in favor of the Veteran by finding that his peripheral neuropathy more nearly approximated severe incomplete paralysis but not complete paralysis, which warranted higher ratings under Diagnostic Code 8513. For allergic rhinitis, the evidence demonstrated greater than 50 percent obstruction of the nasal passage on both sides absent polyps.

Claimed conditions

right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy of the femoral nerve, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy of the femoral nerve, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerve, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerve, allergic rhinitis, chloracne of the face, arms, and back

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

December 15, 2025

Citation

A25108047

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