The Board has remanded the claim for additional development regarding service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2 (DMII), including as due to exposure to herbicide agents or as due to exposure to chemicals and solvents. The Veteran claims this condition is related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents during service in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
The deciding factor: The Board noted insufficient information regarding the Veteran's claimed exposure to herbicide agents and chemicals/solvents, and directed additional development on these issues.
- Claimed conditions
- diabetes mellitus, type 2 (DMII)
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 19, 2020
- Citation
- 20013081
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 20013081.
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 Veteran's claims for service connection for low red blood cell count, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), chronic kidney disease, diabetes mellitus type II (DMII), hypertension, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to DMII, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to DMII, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to DMII, and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to DMII due to the need for additional National Guard records and a VA examination.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, back disability, bilateral achilles tendonitis, gout, diabetes mellitus, type 2 (DMII), obstructive sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include anxiety and depression. The Board denied increased ratings for right and left knee degenerative joint disease, separate ratings for instability of the knees, a separate rating for residuals of a right knee meniscectomy, and service connection for bilateral leg pain, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), chronic sinus disability, respiratory disability due to exposure to asbestos, heart murmur, irregular heartbeat, and seizures.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for chronic lymphocytic leukemia and diabetes mellitus, type 2 (DMII), based on the Veteran's exposure to herbicides near the Korean Demilitarized Zone.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical opinion regarding service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2 (DMII). The Veteran's attorney wishes to continue on the Direct Review docket.
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