The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent, and a higher rating is denied.,A new examination is needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran’s left ankle disability due to lack of compliance with VA examination requirements.,A new examination is needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran’s left arm disability due to lack of compliance with VA examination requirements.,An examination and opinion are needed regarding whether the Veteran's diabetes mellitus began during service.,Documentation of all drills at Camp Lejeune is required, including Solid Shield and Firex 86. After confirmation, an examination is needed to determine if liver spots are related to in-service exposure to contaminants.,After confirmation, an examination is needed to determine if residuals of rectal cancer are related to in-service exposure to contaminants.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's blood pressure readings did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under DC 7101. The evidence does not show that his diastolic or systolic pressure was predominantly above the required thresholds.,The examination report did not contain measurements of passive range of motion, which is necessary to evaluate the left ankle disability under VA regulations.,The examination report did not contain measurements of passive range of motion, which is necessary to evaluate the left arm disability under VA regulations.,An evaluation and opinion are needed as to whether the Veteran's diabetes mellitus began during service. The Veteran’s glucose level at re-enlistment was 79, indicating no need for medication at that time.,Documentation of all drills at Camp Lejeune is required to determine if the Veteran participated in activities lasting more than 30 days and thus potentially exposed to contaminants.,An evaluation and opinion are needed as to whether the Veteran's liver spots or residuals of rectal cancer are related to exposure to contaminants during service.
- Claimed conditions
- hypertension, left ankle disability, left arm disability, chronic lumbar strain, diabetes mellitus, liver spots, residuals of rectal cancer
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 13, 2020
- Citation
- 20002843
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 October 21, 2021, for the grant of service connection for hypertension.
- Dismissed
The appeal for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, service connection for right ear hearing loss, and bilateral vision condition was dismissed. Service connection for hypertension, congestive heart failure, and coronary artery disease was denied.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including prostate cancer and related disabilities, urinary incontinence, sleep apnea, hypertension, varicose veins, lumbar spine disability, hip arthritis, shoulder arthritis, ankle arthritis, knee strain, knee replacement, and hand arthritis. The only condition granted was a 10 percent rating for a fracture of the right proximal first metacarpal.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for headaches and increased ratings for left shoulder rotator cuff tear, right shoulder rotator cuff tear, hypertension, and left and right leg restless leg syndrome. The Board denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder.
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