The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection are denied as there is no indication that he filed a claim prior to the dates assigned.,The Veteran's hypertension and stroke residuals claims are remanded due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, and need for etiology opinions.
The deciding factor: There is no evidence in the record indicating an earlier claim for service connection before the effective dates assigned. The Veteran did not file a formal or informal claim prior to March 13, 2013, for diabetes mellitus, type 2, with retinopathy, nephropathy, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities; December 12, 2014, for other specified trauma and stressor related disorder (claimed as depression); or any earlier date for hypertension and stroke residuals.
- Claimed conditions
- diabetes mellitus, type 2, nephropathy (claimed as secondary to diabetes), peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, other specified trauma and stressor related disorder (claimed as depression)
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 26, 2018
- Citation
- 18138552
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 18138552.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
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 service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of peripheral neuropathy in all four extremities, resulting in the dismissal of these claims.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of peripheral neuropathy in all four extremities, resulting in the dismissal of these claims.
- Denied
The Board has vacated the January 2026 decision granting service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2 due to fraudulent evidence. The Veteran's claim is denied as there is no credible evidence linking his diabetes to service or a service-connected condition.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.