The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, prostate condition, and peripheral neuropathy of various extremities due to exposure to herbicide agents while serving in Vietnam. The claims are being reviewed on a de novo basis as new evidence was provided by the enactment of the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019.
The deciding factor: The Board found that it cannot be determined with certainty whether the Veteran served in the Republic of Vietnam and thus, his exposure to herbicide agents is not presumed. The claims are being remanded for additional factual development and VA examinations.
- Claimed conditions
- diabetes mellitus, type II (diabetes), prostate condition, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 13, 2020
- Citation
- 20012045
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 20012045.
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 has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of peripheral neuropathy in all four extremities, resulting in the dismissal of these claims.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of peripheral neuropathy in all four extremities, resulting in the dismissal of these claims.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II (diabetes) and hypertension. The Board found that there was no in-service disease or injury related to these conditions and that they are not otherwise related to service.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
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.