The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents, as well as the claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound. The AOJ is instructed to attempt verification of the Veteran's claimed service in Vietnam from December 1968 to May 1969 and his exposure to herbicide agents at MCAS El Toro, California.
The deciding factor: The Board found insufficient evidence to verify the Veteran's claimed service in Vietnam and his exposure to herbicide agents, necessitating further development.
- Claimed conditions
- heart condition (including ischemic heart disease (IHD)), diabetes mellitus, type II, COPD, residuals of a transient ischemic attack (TIA), skin disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 7, 2023
- Citation
- 23013516
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 23013516.
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 the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current respiratory disability and active duty service. The VA examiner concluded that the COPD was more likely due to tobacco use rather than asbestos exposure in service.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claims for sleep apnea and an increased disability rating for diabetes mellitus, type II.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back disorder, skin disorder, tongue condition, right chest costochondritis, and right hand shaking due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. The decision finds that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is proximately due to his service-connected PTSD.
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