The Veteran's diabetes was first diagnosed in 2000, after her last period of active duty service. The Board finds that the Veteran's type I diabetes as likely as not increased in severity during her last period of active duty from October 2002 to April 2004 and is aggravated by its natural progress. For the spine disorders, a VA examination is needed to determine if they are related to service or pre-existed service.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's diabetes was first diagnosed after her last period of active duty service, and the Board finds that it likely increased in severity during this period due to its natural progression. For the spine disorders, a VA examination is needed to determine if they are related to service or pre-existed service.
- Claimed conditions
- {"condition_name":"Diabetes Mellitus, Type I"}, {"condition_name":"Thoracolumbar Spine Disorder"}, {"condition_name":"Cervical Spine Disorder"}
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 6, 2020
- Citation
- 20000742
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 on whether plantar fasciitis was aggravated by active duty training.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 30 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches, but no greater.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for bilateral pes planus based on aggravation of a preexisting disability, but denied service connection for right and left knee disabilities.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for GERD as it was aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, but denied service connection for ED due to a lack of evidence showing a current diagnosis. The issue of entitlement to service connection for anxiety is remanded.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.