The Board has remanded the claims for left and right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy due to unclear diagnosis, and for left and right upper extremity diabetic neuropathy due to inadequate opinion. The Veteran's nerve disabilities are related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there is insufficient evidence to establish a clear relationship between the Veteran's diagnosed nerve disabilities and his service-connected diabetes mellitus, necessitating further examination and opinion.
- Claimed conditions
- Left lower extremity diabetic neuropathy, Right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy, Left upper extremity diabetic neuropathy, Right upper extremity diabetic neuropathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 30, 2023
- Citation
- A23034011
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 A23034011.
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 service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to September 28, 2021. From September 28, 2021 to May 22, 2022, the Veteran had a combined total disability rating of 100%, which rendered the issue moot as he was already receiving SMC based on his service-connected disabilities.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, and left and right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy due to exposure to contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune during service. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was remanded.
- Granted
The Board granted earlier effective dates of August 31, 2021, for the grant of service connection for DM, type II and related diabetic neuropathies, as well as an earlier effective date for right knee strain. The claim for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ was denied.
- Partly granted
The Board denied increased ratings for diabetes mellitus type II and right upper and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathies, but granted initial 40 percent ratings for right and left lower extremity diabetic neuropathies.
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