The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examination and need for further development.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner's opinion was found to be inadequate as it did not address the Veteran’s repeated statements about her efforts to maintain a healthy weight through various diets, which contradicted the clinician's findings.
- Claimed conditions
- diabetes mellitus type 2, spondylotic spondylolisthesis L5-s1, DJD, lumbar spine, degenerative changes right knee, degenerative changes left knee, DJD sacroiliac joint, DJD right hip, DJD left hip, DJD right foot, DJD left foot, medial tibial stress syndrome, bilateral stress reaction, healed stress fracture, right femur
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 14, 2020
- Citation
- A20018517
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 A20018517.
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 appeal for service connection for heart attack, kidney stones, polycythemia vera, diabetes mellitus type 2, and psoriasis is remanded due to inadequate VA opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.
- Granted
The Veteran's TDIU was granted effective October 24, 2017. The attorney fees are eligible based on the past-due benefits awarded in the May 2021 rating decision.
- Granted
The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type 2 is found to be secondary to her service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder, alcohol use disorder, and cannabis use disorder.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of diabetes mellitus type 2 was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. His hypertension was granted a 10% evaluation from January 11, 2011, but no greater. The Veteran's request for an effective date before October 12, 2021, for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was denied.
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.