The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension due to inextricably intertwined issues. The Veteran's exposure to commercial herbicides is not considered, and a new etiology opinion is needed regarding whether his diabetes mellitus type II is related to his military service.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension are inextricably intertwined due to the Veteran's conceded exposure to commercial herbicides. A new etiology opinion is required to determine if this exposure would result in diabetes mellitus type II, as well as whether his diabetes mellitus type II is related to his military service.
- Claimed conditions
- diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 4, 2020
- Citation
- 20077251
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 20077251.
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 Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction was denied as the evidence did not show that he had been diagnosed and manifested to at least a 10 percent disability rating on or prior to May 8, 2001.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to conflicting opinions regarding service connection for peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and skin disabilities related to herbicide exposure.
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