The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's neurological disorders, specifically carpal tunnel/cubital tunnel issues and peripheral neuropathy in both upper and lower extremities. The examiner is requested to provide clear opinions on whether these conditions are related to service or diabetes mellitus.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the previous opinions were insufficient due to lack of an in-person examination and incomplete consideration of relevant records, particularly regarding presumed exposure to herbicide agents and the relationship between diabetes mellitus and neurological disorders.
- Claimed conditions
- Peripheral vascular disease in the legs (atherosclerotic disease/claudication, with clear risk factors), Carpal tunnel/cubital tunnel issues in the upper extremities, Neurological disorder of the lower extremities (peripheral neuropathy)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 5, 2020
- Citation
- 20071582
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.
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The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
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- Remanded (sent back)
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- Granted
The Board granted service connection for myasthenia gravis based on the Veteran's exposure to hazardous substances during his military service.
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