The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions provided prior to the April 2021 rating decision were inadequate due to a lack of supporting rationale for their conclusions. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy symptoms, including those in his upper and lower extremities, began before he started chemotherapy treatment for cancer, but the VA examiners concluded that the diabetes mellitus type II was not the cause or aggravation of these symptoms. The Board finds remand necessary to correct this error.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations provided prior to the April 2021 rating decision were inadequate as they did not provide sufficient rationale for their conclusions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and his peripheral neuropathy symptoms, including those in his upper and lower extremities which began before he started chemotherapy treatment.
- Claimed conditions
- right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 9, 2022
- Citation
- A22025012
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 A22025012.
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 Veteran's Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular Aid and Attendance is granted as of April 25, 2024.,For diabetes mellitus, a rating in excess of 20 percent is denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding the Veteran's exposure to mercury in dental amalgams and asbestos during service. A VA medical opinion is needed to determine if these exposures are related to his claimed disabilities.
- Dismissed
The appeal concerning earlier effective dates for service connection and disability ratings has been dismissed.,No new evidence or arguments were provided to support the claims.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The Board finds the evidence insufficient to grant service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy, erectile dysfunction, prostate condition, headaches, IBS, behavioral neurology conditions, and acquired psychological condition due to exposure at Camp Lejeune.
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