The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, type II as a result of exposure to herbicides are granted. The remaining issues (peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, acquired psychiatric disorder, and bilateral hearing loss) are remanded for further examination and opinion.
The deciding factor: The decision is based on the presumption of exposure to herbicides in Vietnam, which grants service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II without requiring a direct link to service. The remaining issues require additional evidence or examination to determine their relationship to service.
- Claimed conditions
- diabetes mellitus, type II, peripheral neuropathy, hypertension (HTN), acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 30, 2020
- Citation
- 20007846
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and various musculoskeletal issues, as well as an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for rhinitis. However, the Board granted a 70 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus to obtain further medical opinions regarding their potential relationship to toxic exposures during active service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for right foot, left elbow, left hip, left ankle, and diabetes mellitus to obtain additional medical evidence.
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