The Veteran's claim for specially adapted housing and/or a special home adaptation grant is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.
The deciding factor: The Veteran has provided recent evidence challenging the adequacy of his previous examinations and indicated that he may be legally blind. A new VA examination is necessary to determine eligibility for benefits.
- Claimed conditions
- Diabetic retinopathy, Ischemic optic neuropathy, Pseudophakia and glaucoma associated with type II diabetes mellitus, Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Type II diabetes mellitus, Diabetic peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity, Diabetic peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity, Hypertension associated with type II diabetes mellitus, Osteoarthritis of right hand, Erectile dysfunction associated with type II diabetes mellitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 22, 2017
- Citation
- 1708727
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 1708727.
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 is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the (o) rate and SMC at the (r)(2) rate, effective January 19, 2025. The decision finds that the Veteran's service-connected conditions warrant these awards due to his need for aid and attendance.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has identified a contradiction in the AOJ's determinations regarding the Veteran's need for aid and assistance, which requires clarification. The remanded issues are entitlement to SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another and on the basis of statutory housebound status.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased rating and earlier effective date for PTSD have been dismissed due to her withdrawal of the appeal.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted service connection for a right knee scar secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability status post knee replacement. However, the rating for PTSD remains at 30 percent and needs to be re-adjudicated due to a failure to obtain private mental health treatment records.
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