The Board has denied service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus type 2, finding no evidence of herbicide exposure in Korea. The issues of service connection for lumbar strain (back disability) and right lower extremity sciatica are remanded due to the need for further examination and opinion.
The deciding factor: The Board found insufficient evidence of herbicide exposure in Korea that would support a presumption-based service connection, thus denying these claims.
- Claimed conditions
- Ischemic heart disease, Diabetes mellitus type 2
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 9, 2020
- Citation
- 20002154
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 Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the R(1) rate due to his need for regular aid and attendance.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings of ischemic heart disease and diabetes, and these claims are dismissed.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus type 2 and peripheral neuropathy, to further investigate potential exposure to herbicides during the Veteran's service in Korea.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, ischemic heart disease, and hypertension from August 10, 2022, under the PACT Act. The claim for a thyroid disability was denied.
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