The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus and heart disability due to in-service high cholesterol, as there is an open question regarding whether the Veteran had a diagnosed heart condition prior to his death. The AOJ must obtain additional evidence related to five coronary artery bypass grafts documented in August 2018 private treatment records.
The deciding factor: The Board found that an opinion addressing whether the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and any diagnosed heart disability were related to his military service, including his in-service toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) in Southwest Asia, is necessary prior to adjudicating the appeal.
- Claimed conditions
- diabetes mellitus, heart disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- Gulf War
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 14, 2023
- Citation
- 23061008
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 23061008.
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.
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