The Veteran's claims for service connection for vertigo and diabetes mellitus have been denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after her military service, and they are not related to any service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right knee disabilities, low back disability, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities (left and right) have been remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding functional loss during flare-ups or with repeated use over time.
The deciding factor: There was no in-service diagnosis or treatment for vertigo or diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's service records do not indicate any chronic conditions that could be presumed to have developed due to military service, and there is insufficient evidence linking these conditions to her current service-connected disabilities.,The claims for increased ratings are remanded as the VA examiner did not address functional loss during flare-ups or with repeated use over time. The Veteran's representative argued that the examination lacked sufficient detail necessary to rate the knees, low back disability, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities.
- Claimed conditions
- Vertigo, Diabetes Mellitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 17, 2018
- Citation
- 18158626
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 18158626.
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 of entitlement to service connection for vertigo and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Veteran's hearing loss is not rated higher than 10 percent.
- Granted
The Veteran's appeal was granted for various disabilities, including service connection for depressive disorder and increased evaluations for diabetic peripheral neuropathy affecting multiple nerve groups. A SMC based on need for aid and attendance was also awarded.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for a separate rating of 30 percent for vertigo is granted, while the claim for an increased rating for tinnitus remains denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for further development, including verification of in-service stressors and toxic exposure assessments. The Board also requests a VA examination to address the etiology of his diagnosed mental health conditions and vertigo.
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