The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and hypertension due to herbicide exposure. The claims for carotid arterial disease, left hand disability, right hand disability, and loss of use of a foot are remanded as medical opinions are needed on their etiology. SMC based on need for aid and attendance or housebound is also remanded.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service in Vietnam with exposure to herbicide agents has been established, allowing for presumptive service connection for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and hypertension. The claims for carotid arterial disease, left hand disability, right hand disability, and loss of use of a foot require medical opinions on their etiology.
- Claimed conditions
- ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, hypertension
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 19, 2020
- Citation
- 20012914
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 20012914.
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's claim for an earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction was denied as the evidence did not show that he had been diagnosed and manifested to at least a 10 percent disability rating on or prior to May 8, 2001.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition, including ischemic heart disease. The evidence did not support a finding of a current disability related to service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.
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