The Board has granted effective dates prior to September 27, 2021 for service connection of bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran's claim for bilateral lower extremity varicose veins also received a favorable decision with an effective date set at September 22, 2015.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed the onset of symptoms associated with bilateral peripheral neuropathy began on December 15, 2020 and a diagnosis was made as early as August 4, 2020. Varicose veins were observed in September 2015 and found to be a complication of diabetes mellitus.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, Bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, Bilateral lower extremity varicose veins
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 2, 2026
- Citation
- A26009405
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation A26009405.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher level of SMC was denied as the Board found that he is already in receipt of SMC at the (l) rate based on need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease with congestive heart failure. A second award of SMC at the (l) rate based on need for regular aid and attendance was not warranted.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for SMC based on housebound status and need for aid and attendance, finding that he did not meet the criteria for these benefits prior to the specified dates.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since December 6, 2012. An earlier effective date of December 6, 2012, for the TDIU and DEA benefits is granted.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide agent exposure, but denied service connection for bilateral upper extremity neuropathy (diagnosed as bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome) based on the lack of evidence showing a nexus between the condition and service.
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