The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left lower extremity neuropathy due to Agent Orange exposure, as well as secondary to diabetes mellitus type 2. The Veteran's claim will be reviewed with a focus on whether his neuropathies are caused or aggravated by these conditions.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the VA examination did not provide sufficient information regarding the Veteran's diabetic peripheral neuropathy and its relationship to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type 2. The examiner also did not address whether the Veteran’s bilateral musculocutaneous nerve neuropathy and bilateral internal saphenous nerve neuropathy were caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.
- Claimed conditions
- Right lower extremity neuropathy, Left lower extremity neuropathy
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 11, 2020
- Citation
- A20018372
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 A20018372.
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 Veteran's TBI and other specified trauma disorder are being remanded for further evaluation.,The Veteran's increased rating claim for other specified trauma disorder is also being remanded.,Service connection for ulcerative pancolitis, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic anemia, skin disability (psoriasis), sleep apnea, cervical spine disability, right knee disability, left hip disability, and right lower extremity neuropathy are all being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.,The Veteran's service connection claims will be addressed based on his credible history of service in combat zones.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left lower extremity neuropathy require additional development due to missing medical evidence, specifically an EMG from June 2023. The VA examinations also did not consider the ameliorative effects of medication on the severity of the disability.
- Granted
The Veteran's service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), both due to herbicide exposure, is granted.,Service connection for GERD secondary to PTSD is also granted. The Veteran has left lower extremity neuropathy but no current diagnosis of left upper or right lower extremity neuropathy.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and neuropathy of the extremities due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The claims for a sinus disorder and facial skin disorder were remanded.
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