The Board has found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes and peripheral neuropathy, have rendered him unemployable from December 10, 2009. However, due to his non-service-connected back disability, a TDIU rating prior to March 1, 2011 is denied. The Board has also found that the Veteran's service-connected diabetes does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unemployable due to their severity and impact on his ability to work, but this was primarily due to non-service-connected back disability. The Veteran's service-connected diabetes has not warranted a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- left and right leg vascular insufficiency, diabetic retinopathy, diabetes, peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, peripheral neuropathy of both upper extremities
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 16, 2020
- Citation
- 20073200
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.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, hypertension, and various musculoskeletal and skin disabilities.
- Dismissed
The appeals for service connection for various conditions were dismissed due to the Veteran's death.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for dermatochalasis, meibomian gland dysfunction, and blepharitis. The claims for lumbosacral strain, left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), right shoulder tendinopathy, diabetes, and prostate cancer with urinary incontinence status-post prostatectomy were remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board denied an effective date prior to April 11, 2013, for the award of service connection for diabetic retinopathy and grade 2+ anterior vacuoles due to a lack of evidence indicating an intent to apply for benefits or communication related to these conditions before that date.
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