The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for cardiomyopathy with biventricular implantable cardioverter-defibrillator with congestive heart failure due to unresolved doubt regarding exposure within 12 nautical miles off the shore of Vietnam.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there was an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding whether the Veteran served within 12 nautical miles off the shore of Vietnam during his service on the USS Decatur, which is required for presumptive service connection under the Agent Orange Act. The issue of cardiomyopathy with biventricular implantable cardioverter-defibrillator with congestive heart failure was remanded due to unresolved doubt regarding exposure within 12 nautical miles off the shore of Vietnam.
- Claimed conditions
- diabetes mellitus, cardiomyopathy with biventricular implantable cardioverter-defibrillator with congestive heart failure
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 1, 2023
- Citation
- 23006606
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 23006606.
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 Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, visual impairment, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction due to lack of exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Veteran's claims were not granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection on the merits are being remanded due to new evidence and development needs. The maximum disability rating for tinnitus has already been assigned.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, ischemic heart disease, right lower extremity peripheral artery disease, left lower extremity peripheral artery disease, and hypertension as the evidence did not establish an in-service event or exposure to herbicide agents.
- 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.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
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.