The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, a bilateral eye disability, edema of abdomen, legs, and feet, and a liver disability, all claimed as resulting from herbicide agent exposure. The decision also includes a remand for further examination to determine if PTSD is related to the Veteran's service at Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand and ordered additional examinations and records to be obtained to support or refute the claims.
- Claimed conditions
- ischemic heart disease, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, diabetes mellitus, bilateral eye disability (cataracts), edema of abdomen, legs, and feet, liver disability, psychiatric disability (PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Gulf War
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 18, 2020
- Citation
- 20074140
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.
- Dismissed
The appeal for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, service connection for right ear hearing loss, and bilateral vision condition was dismissed. Service connection for hypertension, congestive heart failure, and coronary artery disease was denied.
- Partly granted
The Board grants service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's tinnitus began during his period of active duty service. The claims for ischemic heart disease, aortic valve replacement, status post aortic stenosis, and peripheral vascular disease with popliteal aneurysm are remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus to obtain further medical opinions regarding their potential relationship to toxic exposures during active service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for right foot, left elbow, left hip, left ankle, and diabetes mellitus to obtain additional medical evidence.
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.