The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a low back disability, residuals of right ear cyst removal, and diabetes mellitus due to new evidence submitted since the final decisions. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD, depression, anxiety) remains pending as it was not reopened.,Service connection is being remanded for the low back disability, right ear cyst removal residuals, and diabetes mellitus due to unresolved issues regarding exposure to herbicides during service.
The deciding factor: The evidence submitted since the final decisions raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims for service connection for these conditions.,Service records confirm the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents in Panama, but further investigation is needed to verify this exposure and apply the appropriate presumption of service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- {"condition_name":"Low Back Disability"}, {"condition_name":"Right Ear Cyst Removal Residuals"}, {"condition_name":"Diabetes Mellitus"}, {"condition_name":"Acquired Psychiatric Disability (PTSD, Depression, Anxiety)"}
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Gulf War
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 26, 2019
- Citation
- 19132894
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 remands the claim for a medical opinion addressing whether the Veteran's left eye condition is related to service, as it found that the condition did not preexist service.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for prostate cancer, related to in-service exposures at Camp Lejeune.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted an effective date of August 10, 2022, for the grant of service connection for sinusitis based on the PACT Act.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that the conditions are related to in-service herbicide agent exposure.
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