The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected right and left upper extremity diabetic neuropathy due to inextricably intertwined issues, including entitlement to SMC benefits.
The deciding factor: Issues related to increased disability ratings are being remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with other issues, such as the Veteran's eligibility for SMC benefits.
- Claimed conditions
- right upper extremity diabetic neuropathy, left upper extremity diabetic neuropathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 9, 2020
- Citation
- 20001671
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 an effective date of July 23, 2019, for the award of service connection for diabetic neuropathy in all extremities.
- Denied
The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection and special monthly compensation, as these claims were granted under the PACT Act on August 10, 2022.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for initial compensable ratings due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, specifically regarding notice of the right to a hearing under 38 C.F.R. § 3.103(d)(1).
- Denied
The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for tinnitus, erectile dysfunction, and diabetic neuropathy affecting both upper extremities.
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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.