The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for cholesterol, increased SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ, initial rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction, increase in disability rating for chronic renal insufficiency with hypertension, separate compensable rating for hypertension, and initial rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral cataracts are all remanded. The TDIU claim is also remanded.
The deciding factor: The claims have been remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations and additional development of the record as evidence of worsening symptoms has been presented by the Veteran.
- Claimed conditions
- cholesterol, respiratory disorder (COPD), diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction, chronic renal insufficiency with hypertension, bilateral cataracts
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 3, 2019
- Citation
- 19125117
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,874 · Granted: 33% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 19125117.
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 Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular Aid and Attendance is granted as of April 25, 2024.,For diabetes mellitus, a rating in excess of 20 percent is denied.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed all appeals except for the claim of an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for left shoulder strain. The appeal concerning the other issues on appeal is dismissed.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, heart disorder (atrial fibrillation), and respiratory disorder (COPD). The claims are being remanded due to the need for these opinions.
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