The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine if the Veteran currently has diabetic retinopathy secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, Type II, and whether he has a current back disorder that was caused or aggravated by his period of active military service.
The deciding factor: The Board found insufficient evidence in the record regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetic retinopathy and degenerative joint disease with scoliosis of the lumbar spine. The Joint Motion also noted deficiencies in the November 2008 VA examination report, which did not adequately consider the prior treatment records showing a diagnosis of nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy.
- Claimed conditions
- diabetic retinopathy, degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease with scoliosis of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 29, 2011
- Citation
- 1136771
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 1136771.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for asthma, hypertension with residuals including stroke, DM II, bilateral amputation of all toes, and diabetic neuropathy to obtain VA medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.,The Board also remanded the claim for ED as it is inextricably intertwined with the DM II claim.
- Denied
The Veteran's initial ratings for diabetes and diabetic retinopathy were denied. The Board found that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of his symptoms, including his need for eye injections to treat his diabetic retinopathy.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus and diabetic retinopathy, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding various service connection claims and rating determinations due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.
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