The Veteran seeks service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, to include as secondary to type II diabetes mellitus due to Agent Orange exposure during service in Vietnam. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy and his service-connected diabetes mellitus.
The deciding factor: The November 2011 VA examiner did not address the May 2010 opinion, which stated that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is most likely caused by or a result of type II diabetes mellitus. The Board finds this opinion to be inadequate and requires remand for further evaluation.
- Claimed conditions
- Peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, Peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, Peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, Peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 20, 2012
- Citation
- 1243574
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 1243574.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for an initial 70 percent rating for service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity is granted. The Board also remanded the issue of entitlement to SMC based on a need for aid and attendance.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities and remanded the issue of esophageal cancer.
- Granted
The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, spinal disability, and hypertension with acute renal failure are all granted. The rating for spinal disability is restored to 20 percent effective January 6, 2020. An increased rating for hypertension with acute renal failure is denied.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his bilateral lower extremity neuropathy due to diabetes mellitus, have resulted in loss of use of both lower extremities. The Board has granted eligibility for specially adapted housing and dismissed the claim for a special home adaptation grant as moot.
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