The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings for bilateral lower extremity motor and sensory axonal polyneuropathy, finding that the evidence did not support an earlier date of entitlement or a higher rating.

The deciding factor: The persuasive weight of the evidence first indicates worsening or impairment for these conditions at the July 2025 VA examination. The severity of the Veteran's symptoms prior to this date was mild and did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

Claimed conditions

bilateral lower extremity motor and sensory axonal polyneuropathy of the obturator nerve, bilateral lower extremity motor and sensory axonal polyneuropathy of the femoral nerve branch, bilateral lower extremity motor and sensory axonal polyneuropathy of the illio-inguinal nerve, bilateral lower extremity motor and sensory axonal polyneuropathy of the external cutaneous nerve of the thigh, left lower extremity motor and sensory axonal polyneuropathy, sciatic nerve branch, right lower extremity motor and sensory axonal polyneuropathy, sciatic nerve branch

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

December 18, 2025

Citation

A25109280

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