The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder, type II diabetes mellitus, and diabetic neuropathy are being remanded for further evaluation due to concerns about the adequacy of the current evaluations.
The deciding factor: The VA examination in January 2017 did not address all issues raised by the Veteran, including his bilateral upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
- Claimed conditions
- Major depressive disorder, Type II diabetes mellitus, Diabetic neuropathy of the right lower extremity (sciatic nerve), Diabetic neuropathy of the left lower extremity (sciatic nerve), Diabetic neuropathy of the right lower extremity (femoral nerve), Diabetic neuropathy of the left lower extremity (femoral nerve)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 25, 2019
- Citation
- 19181427
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 Board granted service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus, finding that it is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive disorder.
- Granted
The Board granted initial ratings of 40 percent for lumbar spine disorder, 70 percent for major depressive disorder, and 40 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy. TDIU and SMC based on housebound status were also granted.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that Type II diabetes mellitus and hypertension, which are presumed to have resulted from herbicide exposure during service, contributed substantially to his demise.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, currently diagnosed as other specified trauma and stressor related disorder and major depressive disorder.
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