The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II was denied. The Board also found that the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to February 9, 2015, due to service-connected disabilities, should be remanded as it does not meet the schedular criteria but may potentially qualify for extraschedular consideration.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's combined ratings do not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU prior to February 9, 2015. However, VA must consider TDIU on an extraschedular basis pursuant to 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).
- Claimed conditions
- Diabetes Mellitus (Type II), Right Upper Extremity Diabetic Neuropathy, Left Upper Extremity Diabetic Neuropathy, Low Back Strain, Right Lower Extremity Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (Sciatic Nerve), Left Lower Extremity Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (Sciatic Nerve), Right Lower Extremity Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (Femoral Nerve), Left Lower Extremity Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (Femoral Nerve), Coronary Artery Disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 16, 2019
- Citation
- 19129016
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,604 · Granted: 65% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed 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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 19129016.
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
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's TDIU was granted effective March 2, 2018, due to his service-connected disabilities including PTSD and other conditions. The decision also noted that the Veteran is currently self-employed as a truck driver.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a heart disability and hypertension due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors. The AOJ is required to obtain addendum medical opinions regarding toxic exposure risk activities (TERA).
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for SMC in excess of SMC(n) based on his service-connected conditions and additional disabilities, as well as his need for aid and attendance. The appeal was dismissed.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to pre-decisional error and insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's heart condition, hypertension, and hearing loss/tinnitus.
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