The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including severance of service connection for peripheral neuropathy in both upper extremities and an increased rating for diabetes mellitus type 2. The Veteran is also being asked to provide additional medical records and undergo examinations to assess his current disability levels.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the evidentiary record was incomplete, particularly regarding the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in the upper extremities, which may affect service connection determinations. The Veteran's symptoms have worsened since the last examination and a new VA examination is needed to assess current disability levels.
- Claimed conditions
- Peripheral Neuropathy (upper extremities), Cataracts, Diabetes Mellitus type 2, Peripheral Neuropathy (left lower extremity), Peripheral Neuropathy (right lower extremity)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 17, 2018
- Citation
- 18103076
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 18103076.
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 determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's primary open angle glaucoma with cataracts, as well as a determination of whether he has a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss for VA compensation purposes. The case is being remanded to allow for these determinations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's current eye disabilities are related to service or preexisted with no superimposed injury during service. The VA must obtain a supplemental opinion from an appropriately qualified examiner.
- Granted
The Veteran's cataracts are rated at a 10 percent rating, and he is granted a separate 20 percent rating for bilateral dry eye syndrome and meibomian gland dysfunction. The decision also notes that the Veteran has not had any incapacitating episodes in the past year.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining SSA records beyond medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess syncope associated with DM and hypertension.
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