The Veteran's claim for an effective date of October 7, 2002 for PTSD service connection is granted. The claims for new and material evidence for diabetes mellitus, increased disability rating for PTSD, service connection for diabetes mellitus secondary to herbicide agent exposure, service connection for cataracts secondary to diabetes mellitus, and service connection for residuals of Agent Orange exposure are remanded.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's claim was not fully adjudicated due to the lack of a formal or informal claim prior to October 7, 2002. The claims for new and material evidence, increased disability rating for PTSD, service connection for diabetes mellitus secondary to herbicide agent exposure, service connection for cataracts secondary to diabetes mellitus, and service connection for residuals of Agent Orange exposure are remanded as additional development is needed.
- Claimed conditions
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Diabetes Mellitus, Cataracts
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 4, 2021
- Citation
- 21006395
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 21006395.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 27, 2019 for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no earlier claim document in the claims file and the Veteran did not timely perfect an appeal.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD is granted as a result of military sexual trauma (MST) that occurred during service. The Board found the Veteran's testimony and supporting evidence credible, including her VA and private treatment records.
- Granted
The Veteran's appeal was granted for various disabilities, including service connection for depressive disorder and increased evaluations for diabetic peripheral neuropathy affecting multiple nerve groups. A SMC based on need for aid and attendance was also awarded.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for TDIU is granted with an effective date of August 17, 2022. The decision also denies the Veteran's request for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) due to lack of need for aid and attendance or being housebound.
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